Stinging Nettle is a perennial broadleaf herb in the family “Urticaceae” and the Genus “Urtica" of flowering plants. Stinging Nettle contains several hollow stinging hairs on the stems that may inject histamine which, causes a hurtful feeling when coming into human contact. Usually, Stinging Nettle grows in Nitrogen and Phosphorus rich soils that have a long history of zero human interruption. Stinging Nettle may be present as an understory plant in moisture-rich soil in meadows, and abandoned yards having drainage issues. After its introduction to a new area, it spreads speedily. Additionally, it is frequently found in turfgrass, garden beds, and ornamental landscapes throughout the world. Stinging Nettle can grow from sea level to 9800 feet elevation.
Stinging Nettle is native to Western North America, temperature Asia, and Europe. Stinging Nettle has a wide distribution across North America, where it exists in every state except for Hawaii. Whereas, northernmost Mexico also finds Stinging Nettle at diversified places. However, it is not a problem in garden beds. But, turfgrasses may have Stinging Nettle that comes with the planting material from the nurseries, especially in potting soil and farmyard manure. Overall, you may find Stinging Nettle in water-logged or extra-rich moisture soils such as ravines banks, ditches, walkways, and cross-country recreational spots across the US.
Stinging Nettle can grow up to 7 feet tall amid rich moisture and summer heat and shed leaf in winter. Its bright yellow roots and rhizomes spread in the soil extensively whereas, the leaves are soft and green and measure between 2 to 6 inches large. The leaves are oppositely arranged on a straight but spiral green stem. The leaves have vigilant notched margins with a cordate base whereas, the terminal leaves appear longer than the lateral leaves. The flowers are tiny, showy green or brown that often exist as some dense axillary inflorescences. Both leaves and stems contain long bristly hairs that often irritate and may puncture the skin and result in a reddish patch that causes burning and itching together.
Stinging Nettle propagates both by rhizomes and seed. Stinging Nettle produces an enormous amount of seed. Nettle plants that grow in the shady environment can produce between 500 to 5000 seeds per shoot whereas, those growing in full sunlight enhance production up to 20000 seeds per plant. Usually, the seeds remain intact with the plant up to late autumn, and dispersal starts with the first frost and falls to the ground. The fallen seeds don't remain dormant, and germination can start within 10 days after they are dispersed from the plant. Similarly, its rhizomes remain alive under snow and sprout in the spring.
Hand pulling is effective provided you wear gloves to save your skin from injury. Mowing is effective to an extent that it stops only seed production. Otherwise, the removal of rhizomes can check further growth in garden beds and turfgrasses. Burn all stubbles and debris that you collect while removing Stinging Nettle from the garden beds and turfgrass.
This systemic, non-selective herbicide can effectively kill the existing Stinging Nettle plants and the rhizomes that remain under the soil surface. Since, Roundup Concentrate contains both Glyphosate and Diquat Dibromide, which not only burns the foliage of the target plants but, a deep root penetration kills the underground stems and rhizomes. This chemistry contains 18% Glyphosate and 0.73% Diquat that shows vigilant results within 48 hours of application. For their non-selective mode of action, avoid using on the plants that you want alive.
Roundup concentrate can be used at least two weeks earlier than planting new turfgrass but, on bare land.
Add 6 ounces in one gallon of water for both spot treatments and complete spray coverage of Stinging Nettle affected areas.
Tenacity contains 40% Mesotrione which is a pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicide together for controlling broadleaf weeds and grasses, including Stinging Nettle. The absorption is usually by the roots that kill actively growing weeds through the inhibition of HPPD, an enzyme that stops carotenoid production. Tenacity is relative, new chemistry that most corn growers use worldwide. The treated Stinging Nettle plants will show a bleaching effect initially that could wither in the next two weeks. Its two applications in a year can save turfgrasses from the variety of broadleaf weeds and grasses without harming turfgrass.
add only one level teaspoon in 2 gallons of water to target both actively growing weeds and those waiting to sprout from the seeds.
Spectracide Weed Stop is a combination of four different herbicides with varying modes of actions that provide excellent control when there's a complex of weeds growing in the turfgrass, including Stinging Nettle and other broadleaf weeds. This product combines 2,4-D, Quinclorac, Dicamba, and Sulfentrazone in the ratios of 3.74, 1.79, 0.43, and 0.22%, respectively, in a ready-to-use granule formulation. This product is best applied in spring and again in fall that provides a prolonged control.
one 10.8 pounds’ bag can be applied using a spreader or broadcasted in about 3000 square feet of turfgrasses.
Another excellent mixture of four different chemistries that target Stinging Nettle and several other broadleaf weeds when they're growing actively. It mixes 2,4-D, Mecoprop-p, Dicamba, and Carfentrazone in a ready-to-use formulation. The combination works both on foliage and roots together, and leaf yellowing starts within 24 hours of application. Complete prevention can be achieved in a couple of weeks. Additionally, WeedClear offers pre-emergent control to some extend for the weeds that are still to sprout in the turfgrasses.
if you find a concentrated product, add 2 ounces in one gallon of water. Otherwise, connect a garden hose with the spray bottle and target the weeds including, Stinging Nettle and another broadleaf.
Learn How to control and get rid of other weeds in our complete Yard Weeding Guide.
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