Plant Pulling

The new name for balsam bashing which was deemed to have too many negative connotations. Whatever you call it Himalayan Balsam has to go. It is an invasive pest which smothers other plants. The bees love the balsam and it has a pretty, though sickly smelling, flower.  It has evolved such an efficient way of dispersing its seeds - the seed pods explode scattering next year's plants far and wide. By the river the seeds are aided by the tides which carry them even further afield. The plants are easy to pull up but it is a yearly event. This is the second local plant pulling Saturday. Here is my daughter Lyn doing her bit with a pile of pulled up plants at her feet. Sturdy gloves are needed because there are healthy stinging nettles amongst the balsam.

Coffee zoom this morning, cup of tea zoom this afternoon yet to come and then an in person Community Council meeting in a friend's garden. Busy day.

Extra: why the balsam has to be controlled. A healthily diverse patch of wildflowers near the site of the plant pulling activity.