There are so many great reasons to start mulching your garden. It’s a total game-changer for keeping weeds at bay and protecting your plants from those harsh winter freezes. However, if you have a large yard, buying bags of bark mulch or wood chips can get expensive fast. That’s why I love looking for free alternatives—and believe it or not, common stinging nettles are one of the best options out there!
Where to Find Stinging Nettles
To use nettles as mulch, you’re going to need a decent amount of them. If you don’t have a patch growing in your own backyard, try looking along the edges of forests or near the banks of creeks and lakes. Nettles are what we call indicator plants; they absolutely love nutrient-rich soil. So, if you find a spot where the soil is dark and fertile, you’ll likely find a goldmine of nettles.
How to Harvest Without the Sting
We all know that while stinging nettles aren’t poisonous in a dangerous sense, they sure do pack a painful punch if they touch your skin! When you’re ready to go harvesting, make sure you’re wearing long sleeves, thick pants, and heavy-duty gardening gloves. If you’re picking them by hand, be extra careful. Honestly, it’s much easier to just use a scythe or a string trimmer to get the job done quickly.
Timing is Everything
You don’t want to wait too long to cut your nettles. Try to get out there by late summer at the latest. Once early fall hits, those flowers turn into mature seeds. If you mulch with seeded nettles, you’ll accidentally turn your vegetable garden into a giant nettle patch next year—and nobody wants that!
Why Nettle Mulch is a Garden Superfood
Using nettles as mulch isn’t just a great way to save a few bucks; it’s actually amazing for your plants. Here’s why:
- It naturally suppresses and kills off pesky weeds.
- It acts as a deterrent for slugs and snails.
- Nettles are packed with nutrients that get released directly into the soil as they break down.
- It significantly boosts the quality of your humus over time.
