We have some weeds that seem to grow only in the winter months, then disappear again when the higher temperatures return. One of these is the stinging nettle, or 'itch weed'. It is just awful! Touching this thing even accidentally will cause a painful itch that will last for hours, sometimes days. I have yet to find anything that will alleviate the pain and the itch and over the years have tried everything. I even called the local agricultural extension of USF and asked them about it. The only weed killer that is effective on them is not contained in ordinary consumer products. It is very dangerous. They are not aware of anything except repeatedly washing or soaking the area that will help, and even that is limited in its effectiveness.

I am so afraid of this weed that I do not do any weeding between January and early April. The stuff has seeped through the seams of leather gardening gloves, or I have inadvertently brushed a bare arm against it when reaching under or around bushes and other plants. My dogs cannot run (leash laws) so I do make sure that the weed is cleared from the area where their leashes/lines extend. When I do this I wear vinyl gloves inside the leather gardening gloves and protect my arms and feet from accidental contact. I wonder how far north this awful weed extends?