Once stung, twice shy. These are the first plants I learned to recognize after moving to France.
And linda, those caterpillars are called chenilles processionnaires, and their "fur" has the same toxic properties as nettles, even worse. There are web sites that give advice on how to get rid of them safely.
They're dangerous to kids, pets, and people with asthma and allergies. They can do serious damage to the pine trees they nest in.
linda, I've seen photos of those hairy caterpillars in France. Les chenilles processionnaires.
There used to be a similar fuzzy caterpillar in New Orleans that my dog stepped on once. His poor paw was red and itchy for the rest of the day.
wcs Last year my friend warned me about the nettles, but I never saw any. Now they are all over the garden! We're going to eat them once I get my nettle picking gear on! Thanks for the vinegar advice.
the lehners, The wind is ferocious today so I'll head on out there tomorrow and bring them in to make something with. If they indicate good soil, that is great for my garden.
The effing nettles are a constant nuisance in our garden. It does mean good soil, but they're a constant thorn in my side (and on my hands and ankles). Sage leaves, crushed and rubbed onto them does seem to help.
kate, Thanks for the tip, I have a huge sage plant in the garden just a few feet from the nettles. Instant pain relief! I don't remember ever seeing them in or around Seattle. Do you eat them? They're delicious!
12 comments:
I am covered in a rash due to pulling some sort of caterpillar web bag off a tree. Those things are toxic.
Once stung, twice shy. These are the first plants I learned to recognize after moving to France.
And linda, those caterpillars are called chenilles processionnaires, and their "fur" has the same toxic properties as nettles, even worse. There are web sites that give advice on how to get rid of them safely.
They're dangerous to kids, pets, and people with asthma and allergies. They can do serious damage to the pine trees they nest in.
Oh, and vinegar is good for soothing the sting of nettles...
linda,
I've seen photos of those hairy caterpillars in France. Les chenilles processionnaires.
There used to be a similar fuzzy caterpillar in New Orleans that my dog stepped on once. His poor paw was red and itchy for the rest of the day.
wcs
Last year my friend warned me about the nettles, but I never saw any. Now they are all over the garden!
We're going to eat them once I get my nettle picking gear on!
Thanks for the vinegar advice.
oh and here is the photo of the caterpillars
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hardworkinghippy/2334378101/
We've got loads of nettles, I'm told it means our soil is good? Make nettle soup it's delicious, go on live dangerously and go native!
riana,
nettle gnocchi...that sounds great!
Cool photographs too.
merci!
the lehners,
The wind is ferocious today so I'll head on out there tomorrow and bring them in to make something with.
If they indicate good soil, that is great for my garden.
The effing nettles are a constant nuisance in our garden. It does mean good soil, but they're a constant thorn in my side (and on my hands and ankles). Sage leaves, crushed and rubbed onto them does seem to help.
kate,
Thanks for the tip, I have a huge sage plant in the garden just a few feet from the nettles. Instant pain relief!
I don't remember ever seeing them in or around Seattle. Do you eat them? They're delicious!
There's nothing better than fried sage leaves on butternut squash soup. I've grown sage in the garden for years.
Kate,
I've never fried sage leaves! I've tasted them and loved the flavor, but have never done it myself.
Have you ever eaten nettles? I had them once at a restaurant in Seattle and thought they were delicious.
Kate
I will try the sage leaves, they sound delicious. Thanks for the idea!
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