How to Cure a Yellow Dead Nettle

Test the soil's pH where the nettle lives, with a soil-test kit, available from garden stores or extension offices. Nettle prefers a pH of 6 to 7. If the number is too low (acidic), add hydrated lime to the soil. For each point the pH needs to be raised, add 4 oz. per square feet in sandy soil, 8 oz. per square feet in loam soil, 16 oz. per square feet in clay soil and 25 oz. per square feet in peat soil.

Till or upturn the ground to a depth of approximately 6 inches and blend the soil with 10 to 25 percent compost. Nettle prefers rich soil and a large amount of compost will add nutrients and increase the soil's ability to drain. If unable to till, soak compost in water for several days to make liquid compost. Strain the liquid compost, dilute it, then use it to water the ground around the nettle.

Water the soil periodically to keep the ground moist, especially during dry periods, as nettle also prefers moist soil.

Treat the soil if there is any likelihood of pollution, such as toxins, metals or pesticide buildup. Add fulvic acid fertilizer to the soil, which has active organic molecules and is known to revive polluted soil. Plant hyperaccumulator plants as companions to the nettle. Hyperaccumulator plants leach metals from the soil. Options include sweet corn, rapeseed, sunflower, Indian mustard, yellow tuft, alpine pennycross and willow.