First Herb Harvest of the Year: Stinging Nettle

When most people think about the first herb harvest of the season, they imagine basil, chives, or parsley.

Mine was stinging nettle.

Not exactly the usual first harvest, but the garden has a way of reminding us that even the unexpected can still be useful. This year, I gathered stinging nettle not for medicinal use, but to make a homemade fertilizer for my garden.

Stinging nettle is a nutrient rich plant that has long been used in Western herbal medicine. It is often associated with potential benefits such as supporting the body’s response to inflammation and helping with hay fever symptoms, blood pressure, and blood sugar. However, research is still limited in some areas, so medicinal use should always be approached with care and discussed with a qualified healthcare provider first.

At the same time, it is a plant that should be handled with care. Fresh nettle can sting the skin, and anyone interested in using it medicinally should always speak with a physician or qualified healthcare provider first.

In the garden, nettle has another kind of value. Stinging nettle fertilizer is a nutrient rich, organic liquid feed made by fermenting nettle leaves in water for 1 to 3 weeks. Rich in nitrogen, iron, and magnesium, it is especially helpful for leafy greens and young plants during active growth. Once strained, it should be diluted at a ratio of 1 part fertilizer to 10 parts water and applied at the base of plants.

I love that this first harvest of the year came with a reminder. Sometimes the garden gives us what we need, not what we expected.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, and this information is for educational purposes only. Please consult your physician before using stinging nettle or any medicinal herb.