Manor Farm, Marcham - Saturday, 5 July 2025

Blog by Sally, photos by Julio and Sally

We know it is summer, when it is time for Himalayan Balsam (HB) pulling, which was what we'd been asked to do at Manor Farm in Marcham on Saturday, 5 July.  18 Green Gymmers assembled in the farmyard and then made our way along the lane to our usual spot for setting up base camp by a well-appointed bench.  We always seem to be free of spirit for HB pulling with only gloves and wellingtons needed, a couple of loppers and a bow saw just in case, the tarpaulin, first aid kit and, of course, the Green Gym biscuits being all that we required to get the job done.

We'd been enjoying a lovely spell of sunny weather, but the forecast for Saturday promised the chance of rain.  We met under a cloudy sky:

Pointing the way

We'd seen plenty of HB growing along the ditch by the lane, but as this is on public land, we made our way to the field and walked by the stream, where HB grows on both sides.  Following the recent dry weather, the earth was parched, but there was a lovely smell when any of us trod on the fragrant pineapple weed that was growing along the field margin.  We soon came to the spot to set up camp.  

Base camp and the briefing

As a precaution, we made sure to cover up our bags in case of any rain.  

As the stream was shallow, we still needed wellingtons, but it made for an easy crossing.  We have been coming to the Farm for a number of years now and our visits do make a difference, but knowing that each plant bears hundreds of seeds, which remain viable for 3-4 years, it is going to take a while yet before we can say we have eradicated it.  Although bees seem to like HB, it does not contain enough good pollen, which they need to feed their young.  Even though it is an annual, HB is so prolific that it prevents native plants from flourishing and its shallow roots destabilise river banks, causing erosion and silting up rivers.  So, although it is pretty, it really does not belong here and is causing quite a problem.

HB all along the stream before we started work

Starting to flower, this is the best time to pull HB before the seed pods form and are ready to pop, propelling their seeds some distance

Wind in the Willows!

Carol, Barbara and Simon systematically working

It might look like a scene of devastation, but it shows just how much and how quickly HB can take over an area.

Approaching from both sides

The HB seems to grow on steroids here!  Here's Rosie with her prize specimen.

Among the fields of barley

Break time

Sally went for a recce along the ditch running at right angles to the stream where we had found HB last year.  Although there was a small patch in flower, where the HB had been removed thistles were growing which the bees and butterflies loved.  She disturbed a beautiful hare with its long ears, which lolloped away into the field.  We also saw a deer with two fawns.

A native 7-spotted ladybird

Purple loosestrife - a native plant beloved of bees and other pollinators.  For more of this, we need to get rid of the HB!

Although there was a smattering of rain (more like a heavy mist) it soon passed.  We left the site knowing that we would be returning in a couple of weeks' time for more of the same and that, year on year, we are making a difference, but we have to keep returning because for every plant missed, a hundred or more plants will grow the following year in its place!  Sometimes, nature can be a bit too marvellous for its own good.