Herbs
Stinging nettle
Young tops to handle with gloves and cook or thoroughly dry before use.
Sowing & planting windows in Australia
Planting timing varies by broad Australian gardening zone. Local weather, unusual seasons and your garden’s microclimate can shift timing.
Cool
Sow · Aug-Oct
Core months: August, September, October
Temperate
Sow · Aug-Nov
Core months: August, September, October, November
Subtropical
Sow · Jul-Nov
Core months: July, August, September, October, November
Tropical
Sow · Mar-Sep
Core months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September
Arid
Sow · Mar-Sep
Core months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September
Getting started
Sow seed in the recorded five-zone window. Use clean seed and follow the packet's depth and spacing for the named species or cultivar.
The right conditions
Choose a position with good light, fertile free-draining soil and protection from harsh heat; provide winter chill where the crop requires it.
As it grows
Water consistently while establishing, mulch without burying the crown or stem, manage weeds early and provide support where the mature habit needs it.
Ready to harvest
Wearing gloves, cut young tops before flowering and cook or thoroughly dry them before use.
Important cautions
Wear gloves. Do not eat raw mature leaves; cooking or thorough drying removes the sting. Confirm identity and avoid contaminated sites.
Plant guidance: P11a propagation, food-safety and plant-specific guide audit. Planting windows are a guide rather than a rule.