Balsam Attack

First visit to the new allotment and the task today is to tackle the Himalayan Balsam. I arrive with a full flask of tea, tools and gloves. It starts off a grey, overcast day, which was welcomed after the weeks of endless hot sunshine.

The area were the balsam is concentrated is at the bottom of the allotment, mostly coming in from the neighbouring field. Removing the flowers before they have time to set seed is the best way to prevent it from spreading. Just remove the flower heads and anything else cleared will be a bonus.

Snacks are provided by nature, blackberries. Even though the task is to start clearing this area you can’t beat a few blackberries with your cup of tea.

Two hours later, along with chatting to my fellow half-plot neighbour and others on site, the task of removing the balsam has been achieved. A worthwhile visit for the first day. It would be too easy at this stage to “put do a little bit more” but that’s the fasted way to spend a few days flat-out of the sofa with a bad back. Slow and steady in my mantra and I’ve released over the years, this is the fasted way.

As I walk towards the chain-linked fence the sky clears and hot sunshine beats down on the allotment site. What a great start to this new allotment plot.