ross
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mulching with nettlesQuick question: I need to mulch my no-dig potatoes and don't have any straw to hand at the moment. I do have lots of nettles though- if I cut down the nettles would they make a good mulch? I know they have lots of nitrogen and the sting should go by the time I need to harvest, but do nettles re-grow from cut stems?
thanks
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Behemoth
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The only issue is if they've set seed then you'll give yourself problems. Yes, use the young ones to mulch with. Yes they'll grow back and yes you can cut them again for green matter for compost if you have the space.
I've read of managed nettle patches where they're treated as a sustainable crop. Two thirds each year is cut for use and one third left for regain it strength. Can't quite remember the details though.
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tahir
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Yup they'll be a good mulch as long as tghey haven't seeded, high in minerrals and N
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jamsam
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we ( well my mum) have been putting nettles in the compost for years and it seems to work ou well, does anyone else do it???
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dpack
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and they are good in mixture .
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cab
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Last year I mulched between my spuds with all manner of weeds, till they got big enough to shade out the whole patch themselves. Didn't do any harm.
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ross
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thanks all. That's the plan then.
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Treacodactyl
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I also mulched the trenches between the earth up spuds last year, maily with grass and other annual weeds. Mainly to keep the moisture in; they rotted down quite well and I just dug them into the soil when I harvested the spuds.
One thing with nettles, make sure you don't pull up any roots or that may also spread them as they grow easily from a bit of root or the stem bit near the root.
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