These painful weeds can often be considered a nuisance amongst the lovely straight lines of vegetables at the allotment, however they can provide useful nutrients to other plants and yourself if used correctly!

For the plants - Nettles can produce a balanced, valuable fertiliser when utilised in liquid feed. If you gather the nettles in the spring, they have the peak mineral content. To produce the liquid feed, put the freshly picked nettles into a container and fill with water (2 gallons of water for every 2lbs of nettles). Cover the mixture and leave for a fortnight, stirring occasionally. After the 2 weeks, strain the nettle juice. Use one part of this smelly liquid with 10 parts water.

For you - Nettles contain iron, vitamins and natural histamine. They can make an excellent tonic to help improve circulation and detoxify your system. Use the young shoots as these are best for cooking.

Many may have tried growing garlic at the allotment, but wild garlic is to be found now, from March to June, in shady spots commonly across England and Wales. Easily identifiable by its distinct aroma, you are sure to know when you are about to stumble across this edible treat.

To maximise the use of this wild crop the young leaves can be utilised raw in salads (best to be picked whilst the plant is still flowering). These leaves tend to have an intense, garlic smell but are mild in flavour. Why not try as an alternative to chives? The pretty white flowers of the garlic are also edible, and are attractive in a salad.

The bulbs can also be eaten; dug up and enjoyed as a milder version of the shop bought garlic cloves. Remember to check before you eat any wild plant as it may not be what you think, and could even be poisonous.