The gardener did a-nettling go...

[Guest guest]

As soon as I saw the pics I knew I was back in Texas. Thanks for the

memories!

 

Dave

 

 

Here's a link, it has a picture of the " prickly poppy " and Of the bull

nettle.

 

HYPERLINK

" http://www.channelconsultants.net/mcinfo/tourism/wildlife/flora.htm " http://

www.channelconsultants.net/mcinfo/tourism/wildlife/flora.htm

[Guest guest]

>now I'm wondering if what I have is the same thing...

 

 

 

Here’s a link to some very clear nettle photos… HYPERLINK

" http://www.rain-tree.com/Plant-Images/nettles-pic.htm " http://www.rain-tree.

com/Plant-Images/nettles-pic.htm

 

Dave

[Guest guest]

>...do the nettles still burn the skin after they are dried?? If I was

to dry them & then infuse them are they skin " safe " ? Meaning they won't

" burn " you anymore? Anybody got a link they can share that I can look

at quickly to make sure it is the right thing?

 

 

 

Nettles “sting” with tiny hairs that are hollow and filled with histamines

and formic acid or something like that. They only sting while they’re

fresh. As soon as they’re dried or dunked in boiling water they wilt and

will not longer sting. This is not a plant that leaves you with a rash like

poison ivy. The sting or burning sensation you get from brushing up against

the plant will rinse away with water. You kind of get used to handling

them, too. Again, here’s a link to some very clear photos: HYPERLINK

" http://www.rain-tree.com/Plant-Images/nettles-pic.htm " http://www.rain-tree.

com/Plant-Images/nettles-pic.htm

 

Dave

[Guest guest]

O.K. Dave,

 

Now you have made me really curious. Where is this place that you can rent

space in a garden? Where do you live? I live in Katy, TX. I am constantly

dreaming of the perfect property with acreage that hubby and I can buy so I

can garden and build a huge shop so I can play alchemist all day. When we

lived in Trinidad and Tobago, I loved having a small garden and lots of

fresh fruit from the trees in our yard. We also had a HUGE farmer's market

that was open every week on Thursdays where we could buy fresh fruit and

veggies. Here I am dreaming again. ;o)

Blessings,

Ro

 

The plot next to mine at the local community garden has lain fallow for the

last year, and become completely overrun with stinging nettles. It's been

my main source of this herb for months. Recently I was talking with the

garden's director, and she mentioned that she'd rented the plot and that my

new neighbors were anxious to begin weeding. " Can you stall them until

after this weekend? " I asked. " I want those nettles! " So this morning I

put on gloves and went a-nettling. I've got a couple bushels drying on wire

racks, enough to last me for a couple years, I should think. Wandering

around the vacant lot adjacent to the garden I found a patch of giant

plantain, so I got a bunch of that too.

The garden director was naturally curious about what I wanted the nettles

for. Our conversation led to an invitation to put on a soapmaking demo at

the garden this spring. Not a bad day.

Dave

[Guest guest]

>O.K. Dave,

Now you have made me really curious. Where is this place that you can rent

space in a garden? Where do you live?

 

Ro, we live in Escondido CA, a small city about 35 miles north of San Diego.

We are about 20 miles inland.

 

>I live in Katy, TX.

 

I lived near Dallas for 23 years, before that in San Antonio. I really miss

Texas sometimes.

 

>I am constantly dreaming of the perfect property with acreage…

 

We’re considering a move to Idaho in the next year or so. We hope to find

something like that there.

 

>When we lived in Trinidad and Tobago, I loved having a small garden and

lots of

fresh fruit from the trees in our yard. We also had a HUGE farmer's market

that was open every week on Thursdays where we could buy fresh fruit and

veggies. Here I am dreaming again

 

Dream on, Ro! We mustn’t ever lose our dreams. T & T sounds like a slice of

heaven.

 

Dave

[Guest guest]

>Ahhhhhh! A day in a huge field with flowers and a garden sounds soooo

nice

 

 

 

The strip of land that contains the community garden and the site of the new

police station, is sandwiched between Reidy Canyon Creek and the main

north-south drag through town. The garden is a great place, and I can walk

there easily. The creek runs through a greenbelt that is a few hundred

yards wide. The city mows the grass and weeds in the summertime, but the

banks of the creek are left natural. I spend a lot of time hiking up and

down the creek, poking around in the reeds and pools, photographing plants

and the many birds. There must be fifty kinds of birds there, from wading

birds and waterfowl to crows and hawks, and dozens of smaller birds.

 

I hope I’m gone from here before they decide to put apartments and strip

malls on top of it all.

 

Dave