Stinging Nettles
Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica)
Not only are Nettles edible, make a great beer, they are also incredibly useful in the garden.
Nettles in the garden encouraging beneficial insects. Since nettles prefer to grow in phosphorus-rich and nitrogen rich soils that have recently been disturbed, the growth of nettles is an indicator that an area has high fertility (especially phosphate and nitrate), and thus is an indicator to gardeners as to the quality of the soil.
Nettles contain nitrogenous compounds, so are used as a compost activator or can be used to make a liquid fertilizer, which although low in phosphate, is useful in supplying magnesium, sulphur, and iron.
The stinging nettle is the Red Admiral caterpillar’s primary host plant and can attract migrating Red Admiral butterflies to a garden. Nettles can be a troubling weed, and mowing can increase plant density. Regular and persistent tilling will greatly reduce its numbers, but we love nettles an think they are one of the most important companion plants we have.
References: Wikipedia
