1. Good Organic Gardening - January-February 2016

Stinging nettle | POWER PLANT
In the garden, a cold infusion of nettle
leaves may be used to combat aphids or
added to compost to improve its nitrogen
and mineral content. Indeed, nettle works well
simply dug in as a green manure. Add whole
plants to water and leave for 10–14 days to
make a nourishing weed tea for the garden.
Growing nettle
After all is said and done, nettle is a weed and
will generally grow like Topsy. Though we
mentioned it’s a good indicator of rich soil, nettle
will also grow in clay, loamy or sandy soils and
put up with low nutrient levels — anywhere, in
fact, except in soil with high acidity.
Nor is nettle fussy when it comes to high
moisture levels and it will do equally well in damp
clay or poorly drained areas; it’s often found as
an understorey plant in wet environments. Full
sun or shade, that doesn’t matter, either. It’s also
one of few plants that will thrive in soil rich in
poultry manure.
A perennial that grows to 100cm, nettle
is naturally wind propagated but may also
proliferate through division during the
growing season. The flowers are dioecious,
meaning both male and female plants are
required to produce fertile seed. In regions
with cold winters, the plant dies back then
returns in spring.
Where to get it
Plants and seeds of U. doica are available
from online specialist suppliers such as
4seasonsseeds.com.au, herbcottage.
com.au, theseedcollection.com.au and
allrareherbs.com.au.
Nettle Parcels
• 200g young nettle leaves
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 100g feta cheese
• 100g ricotta cheese
• 1 egg
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• Pinch nutmeg
• Salt & coarsely ground black pepper,
to taste
• Puff pastry
• Whisked egg for glazing
Wash nettle leaves and wilt in hot water, then
rinse under cold water and dry thoroughly. Press
out all liquid and chop coarsely. Place in a bowl.
Saute onion until softened.
Add onion and other ingredients to the bowl
of leaves and mix thoroughly.
Cut pastry sheets into 4 squares each. Spoon
filling onto one side of triangle, fold and pinch
together. Prick triangle with a fork on one side
and brush with whisked egg.
Bake at 200°C for about 20–30 minutes, until
golden-brown and serve.
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Good Organic Gardening | 21