STINGING NETTLES used to scare me, but now I look forward to running into a patch of them, though not literally. Of course, it's essential to wear long pants and gloves to avoid their formic-acid-filled prickers. I pick their tops off when the plants are about eight inches to a foot high, bring in a big bowl of them and fill it with water. I use a ladle to push them down and then pour off the water, saving any insects that might come off. Save them for what? Just to save! Put them outside again, of course.
