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sunny
Silver Member
252 Posts |
 Posted - 22 Jun 2009 : 10:39:37 PM
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Hi All
I have now moved my 2 to the new field which they are loving, it's very mature and with lots of trees for shade. My only problem....the field is organic so i can't spray it, so i have been strimming the stinging nettles but they are growing back with a vengence... any ideas of how i could get rid of them for good without chemicals?? 
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South Lincolnshire |
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Vera
Membership Moderator
United Kingdom
8652 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 10:03:56 AM
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| I wouldn't worry about nettles, just cut a few dozen everyday and leave where they are and the horses will eat them once they wilted. |
    
Hampshire |
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Kharidian
Platinum Member
England
4297 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 12:00:35 PM
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I agree with Vera - cut them and the horses love them when they're wilted. My friend's Arab (bay in my sigs) is on box rest and she cuts an armful regularly which he loves the following day.
Also, stinging nettles are great habitats for some rare butterflys (can't remember what species) so you're doing your bit for nature to leave some.
Caryn |
Kharidian (Prince Sadik x Khiri)........ Alkara Cassino (H Tobago x Rose Aboud)
aka "Roger".................................... aka "Chips"
     
The first image is from an original painting by Pat Shorto.
South-East Essex |
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Pop
Platinum Member
England
3051 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jun 2009 : 12:11:58 PM
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| I put them up, if you get the right technique its much easier than striming them, then I just leave them on the ground and they get eaten up. I dont pull them all up because I dont want them to disappear altogether as they are, apparently, a good tonic. You have to get them at a certain height a) because you dont have to bend so much and b) because they come up easier. About 2 ft is just right. I clear any in the paddocks but leave some around the edge. I also pull up thistles, again, if you have the right technique its quite easy. I leave them on the ground as well and they get eaten, if I get behind and have to strim them before they bud, two of the ponies pull up the roots and eat them. They have cleared one paddock last year and there are none in there now, so I've set them on another paddock this year :) |
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Organic stinging nettles Help!!
