Season Window
02-15 to 04-15Hedgerows, field edges, damp lanes, and old garden corners
Late winter to early spring
Nettle
Urtica dioica
Nettle opens the year with a practical kind of abundance: iron-rich leaves, deep green broths, and the old reminder that nourishment can arrive wearing a sting.
Harvest
How we meet this plant
Harvest the tender top leaves with gloves before the plant flowers. Cut only from clean places away from traffic, sprays, and dog-walking paths.
Preparation
At the kitchen table
Use fresh leaves for soup, vinegar, tea, pesto, or mineral infusions. Dry young leaves carefully for later teas.
Community Use
Why we teach it
A spring tonic plant for classes focused on kitchen medicine, mineral support, and respectful harvesting close to home.
Safety
Cook, dry, or crush nettle thoroughly to neutralise the sting. Avoid older flowering plants and seek professional advice around pregnancy, kidney conditions, or medication interactions.