Urtica dioïca

The Dioecious Nettle, in Latin Urtica dioica, is a perennial plant that is very common in uncultivated areas throughout our regions. It is cultivated for its foliage, which loses its stinging power when cooked. It can be consumed in soup, but also in quiche, cake, tapenade... Rich in nutrients, its medicinal properties have been known since antiquity. This wild plant is also widely used in organic gardening in the form of nettle manure. It is sown from May to July, and the first harvest will be possible the following year.

Dreaded by children, the Dioecious Nettle or Great Nettle is a perennial plant of the Urticaceae family. It has been known since antiquity for its numerous virtues and its anti-anemic, stimulating, detoxifying effects... It is rich in proteins, iron, and vitamins A and C.

This plant has a creeping stump and develops a clump of long, erect stems that can reach between 1 and 2 metres in height. Its leaves are green, heart-shaped, and strongly toothed, and they persist in winter. It is the stems that are covered in stiff, stinging hairs. It is called "dioecious" because there are male and female plants. The female clusters hang down, while the male clusters stand upright.

The Nettle naturally grows throughout Europe, on embankments, forest edges, fallow land... It is a nitrophilous plant, meaning it thrives in rich environments, even saturated with nitrogen. You can cultivate it to have easy access to it, free from any pollution for cooking, without having to "search far and wide". Nettle manure contains a lot of nitrogen, and it is very effective in stimulating the growth of young plants. It complements well with Comfrey manure, which stimulates flowering and fruiting while improving leaf resistance.

In the garden, you will plant wild nettle in a sunny spot with rich, moist, and well-drained soil. Take the time to think about its placement, as once established, nettle is difficult to remove!

Harvest and storage: nettle is harvested just before or shortly after flowering. It can be used fresh, but it can also be dried in a dry and airy place and its leaves can be stored in a paper bag or jar.

The gardener's little trick: we won't tell you anything new by saying that nettle stings... If, unfortunately, you experience its burning touch, look around for plantain leaves, crush them, and rub the burn, which will quickly be relieved.