Blog by Sally. Photos by Julio and Sally
We returned to Manor Farm in March on Saturday, 18th July for our second official session to pull Himalayan Balsam from near the Blackwater Stream. We assembled in the farmyard and made our way with our waders plus a few tools, just in case, to our usual spot for base camp by the bench near the path.
Our mission was simple: to seek and destroy as many Himalayan Balsam plants as we could find. We split into different groups to finish working in the areas where we had stopped a couple of weeks previously. Although some of the Balsam plants were forming seed pods, they weren't ripe enough to pop when we pulled the plants off. It was encouraging to note that we weren't therefore spreading any seeds as we worked.
This marks our wayfaring point for where we work along the Blackwater Stream
Sally briefs the group
Carol, Dieuwke and Graham hard at work
David and Rhian tackling the Himalayan Balsam
Possible male banded demoiselle
A female beautiful demoiselle
Himalayan Balsam in full glory
A welcome break in dappled shade
After our ministrations with piles of crushed Himalayan Balsam
Moving on to the next patch of Himalayan Balsam
After our efforts - piles and piles of crushed balsam
As we left the site, we were acutely aware that much needed to be done, including this area.
Having pulled most of the Balsam in the publicly accessible ditch running along Mill Road on Tuesday, 14th July, 10 Green Gymmers turned out for another evening session on Tuesday, 21st July to tackle the above, as well as continue working along the ditch further along Mill Road.
The "after" photo taken on 21 July
As the sun was falling, we continued working along Mill Road taking care not to be pricked by the Blackthorn
We managed to stop a kind passerby to take our photo showing the crushed balsam at our feet.
With thanks to everyone who turned out for both the programmed sessions on 4th and 18th July, as well as those who gave up their evenings on 14th and 21st July, we managed to get rid of an awful lot of Himalayan Balsam. We hope this gives space for our native plants such as Meadowsweet and Purple Loosestrife to flourish and sustain our pollinators in future. We know we did not get rid of every plant, but we certainly gave it our best and we look forward to returning next season to do more of the same (but perhaps we won't need to do quite as much, having stopped hundreds if not thousands of seeds from germinating).
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