Nettle Tea

Due to the high nitrogen content of nettles, they can be used to create a simple (although pungent) fertiliser for nitrogen loving plants.

Process
Collect nettles (young stems are best) and crush them into a watertight container; a bucket for example. This can be done using suitably gloved hands. Fill the bucket with water, you may need to weight the nettles down to keep them emersed.

Leave the mixture to stand for at least 2 weeks. It is advisable to put it somewhere you will not spend too much time as it releases an unpleasant smell.

Use
Dilute the mixture with water in a ratio of 1:10 and pour mixture around nitrogen-loving plants. The remaining pieces of stalk and leaf can be applied to the compost heap.

Environmental Considerations
Nettles provide a suitable and essential laying location for a large number of butterflies as their leaves provide food for the new larvae. Due to a severe decline in these insects it is advisable to only collect nettles from shaded spots as the eggs require the sun's warmth and will not lay in darker locations