TAKING THE STING OUT OF NETTLES
We’ve mentioned the virtues of nettle soup quite a few times in this column. The iron content is supposed to set you up for the year if you have a big bowlful in spring. A student in England has found an alternative use for the gardens most unwelcome plant…. knickers.....
We’ve mentioned the virtues of nettle soup quite a few times in this column. The iron content is supposed to set you up for the year if you have a big bowlful in spring. A student in England has found an alternative use for the gardens most unwelcome plant…. knickers.....
The Department of the environment have given a grant of €743,000 to test out the nettle fibres to see how they stand up as clothing. Students in England have come up with this novel way of proving that the material is versatile.
As yet the conclusion is that clothes made from the plant are a bit itchy to wear but the students are finding plenty of other ways to exploit the versatility of the plant fibres. They are testing how strong the fabric is on cushion covers and curtains and they are also thinking of making hardwearing uniforms, which need to be tough and durable.
Nettles used as clothing and fabric isn’t a new idea by all means. Hundreds of years ago nettles and flax hemp were commonly used for clothing but their popularity dwindled when cotton became widely used in the 17th century. One reason for the renewed interest in this method of manufacturing is because of the growing fears of a worldwide shortage of cotton. Countries such as China and India are using more and more cotton in their products. Cotton tends to be difficult to grow and needs good quality land a warm climate and fertile soil.
Nettles used as clothing and fabric isn’t a new idea by all means. Hundreds of years ago nettles and flax hemp were commonly used for clothing but their popularity dwindled when cotton became widely used in the 17th century. One reason for the renewed interest in this method of manufacturing is because of the growing fears of a worldwide shortage of cotton. Countries such as China and India are using more and more cotton in their products. Cotton tends to be difficult to grow and needs good quality land a warm climate and fertile soil.
Land such as this is being exploited more and more for intensive farming food production. Nettles on the other hand will grow well in cool damp climates like ours.
There may come a time in the not too distant future where the fields of Ireland will be harvesting nettles to clothe the world...
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