Organic Vegtable Garden

Spring is here and the outdoors beckons.

It is time to start working the soil and ourselves. Lucky for us, Mother Nature offers us an abundance of deeply nourishing wild greens such as the common nettle to boost our energy and make us feel more alive. We can energise our bodies by getting out into the garden to cut the nettles that threaten to overtake our crops and at the same time collect the ingredients for a cleansing spring tonic. And all for free. Certain folk medicine claims that if a plant grows near to where you live or walk, it is a reminder that it is calling to you. Think of this the next time you eye up a patch of nettles in your garden or whilst walking. The common stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) has been a traditional Irish spring tonic for centuries. It was the ancient way of flushing toxins from the system and today, the age old tradition of eating nettles three times during spring still exists. This is said to purify the blood, prevent arthritis and assure good health for the year to come.

Nettles are best gathered in March, April and May, just before they come into flower. Pick only young, sweet, tender leaves from the top of each plant. Leaves can be dried or frozen but are better used fresh.