Stinging nettle, symmetrical clarity
The stinging nettle fascinates me in a special way. When its leaves sprout from the ground, slightly reddish and a rich dark green, it heralds the arrival of spring. Over the course of the year, it grows tall. At first glance, at least, it appears impenetrable. The pairs of leaves are opposite, crossing knot by knot. The stems are square and angular. At every stage, they reveal a clear, graceful symmetry. The word "graceful" embodies courage and encouragement.
I experience nettles as sincere, welcoming, protective, organizing, and protective. When they grow among old iron scraps, on fences, roadsides, or forest clearings, they invite you to take a closer look. With each encounter, my joy grows as I approach them, engage with them, and understand their language.
You are also invited to write your own short text. Christine Saahs from Austria has made a start.
Nettles have always been my favorite plant!
As a little girl, I used to pick young nettles with my grandmother with my bare fingers for the little chicks and cut them into small pieces. Even today, I don't use gloves to pick them.
I start the day with nettle tea, I replenish my iron stores with ground nettle seeds, and nettle soup is also offered in restaurants from spring to fall. Nettle salad, nettle chips, nettle spinach, nettle dumplings, nettle tart, nettle cake. These are delicacies that are enthusiastically received not only by the family, but also by guests in the wine bar.
Nettle tea for spraying the vines is indispensable in the fruit and vegetable garden! And, of course, the nettle preparation for compost in Demeter agriculture.
The nettle, as an indispensable mother plant for butterflies, is held in very high esteem in our gardens!
The nettle – my highly praised favorite plant.
Christine Saahs,
Nikolaihof in the Wachau region / Austria
I recently wrote an article on the topic of "devotion" myself, which I would like to share here.
Devotion
Where did you go? Where did you go?
When you come, what have you experienced?
What have you learned? How have you changed?
I want to get to know you, the way you are now, the way you show yourself now.
I want to listen to the wind with you. I want to laugh and be silent with you. I want to stand with you under a tree
and touch your heartbeat.
Do you remember what I dreamed? I missed you deeply. You weren't gone, I just couldn't feel you. You were there, waiting. You taught me to stand still and slow down sometimes.
You are there. You show me down, up, across. You are my gift and you give the gift of giving. You give a giving life.
Simone Helmle, spring 2025
The tiny female and male flowers are infinitely delicate. Tiny balls are strung together on the respective panicles. Threads hang down gently, carried by the wind, elfin-like, when the ripe seeds fly away.
Join us on a journey to discover the plants used in biodynamic compost preparations. You can find more series on yarrow and dandelion.