Embrace the Beauty, Conquer the Threat: Uniting Against Himalayan Balsam Strolling along the banks of a picturesque river, the sun gently kissing your skin as you breathe in the crisp,…
Embrace the Beauty, Conquer the Threat: Uniting Against Himalayan Balsam
Strolling along the banks of a picturesque river, the sun gently kissing your skin as you breathe in the crisp, fresh air. The landscape is adorned with a breathtaking display of pink flowers, standing tall and proud against the backdrop of lush greenery. This is the beauty of Himalayan Balsam, a plant that captivates the senses and lures us into its enchanting embrace. However, beneath its stunning exterior lie numerous hidden threats that jeopardise the very ecosystem it inhabits. Our battle must begin before these beautiful flowers turn to seed. Their explosive nature will result in spreading the plant even further if we wait until then. They can fire seeds as far as four meters, often into waterways, spreading further downstream.
These seeds are a close second favourite part of the plant to eat for me, having a delightful nutty taste (just be sure to harvest them mindfully, ensuring not to add to the spread of it). Throughout its life, every part of the plant is edible. The cotyledon leaves are my favourite when the young sprouts first poke through the ground.
As with all wild plants, you should research it and its potential effects before you eat any part of the plant. Some parts of Himalayan Balsam contain calcium oxalate crystals, so it’s not to be eaten raw in excessive amounts. However, cooking will break these oxalate crystals down. People who suffer from arthritis, kidney or bladder stones, gout, hyperacidity, and rheumatism are advised against consuming Himalayan Balsam.
Himalayan Balsam, with its beautiful, snapdragon-like flowers, brings a sea of pink to our riverbanks in the summer. It stands tall, sometimes reaching over two meters. Its rapid growth and prolific seed production, with each plant capable of producing up to 800 seeds with an 80% germination success rate, make it a formidable adversary to native flora. Despite its attractiveness, the destructiveness of Himalayan Balsam outweighs its aesthetic appeal. This non-native species has wreaked havoc on our riverbanks, outcompeting native plants and disrupting delicate ecosystems. Introduced to Britain from India in 1839, its exploding seeds quickly escaped gardens, and it is now established as an invasive species across most of the world. It is most commonly found along waterways and very damp areas but can grow in drier areas.
Beekeepers might argue that it provides a valuable nectar source later in the year, but this benefit is overshadowed by the broader ecological consequences. The plant’s nectar might be comparable to fast food for pollinators, offering quick nourishment but lacking the comprehensive nutrition that native plants provide. Additionally, the preference of pollinators for Himalayan Balsam over native plants means that the latter are not being pollinated effectively, further endangering their survival. Our natives, given the chance, would provide as much nectar later in the year, but there is also the other side to consider too. When the pollinators are coming out of winter, those early spring nectar providers would do better in Himalayan Balsam’s absence.
The shallow roots of Himalayan Balsam leave riverbanks vulnerable to erosion and flooding. When the plant dies out at the end of the year, it leaves the soil exposed and unstable, leading to the destruction of habitat along riverbanks and increased sedimentation in rivers and streams. This disrupts aquatic habitats and can result in the loss of biodiversity.
The battle against Himalayan Balsam is one we can all join, and it promises to be an immensely rewarding experience. Picture yourself amidst a group of like-minded individuals, of all ages, united by a common purpose and a shared love for the great outdoors. Together, we embark on a journey to rid our riverbanks of this invasive species, not just for the sake of biodiversity, but for our own well-being too.
The shallow roots of Himalayan Balsam make it easy to pull up, offering gentle exercise and an enormous sense of achievement. Large patches can be cleared in very little time, making a significant impact with minimal effort. It’s not just about pulling weeds – it’s about forging connections, fostering a sense of belonging, and finding solace in the beauty of nature. It really is a fun and satisfying activity to do alone or with friends.
In a world where many people spend considerable amounts of money on nature retreats, it’s refreshing to find that connecting with nature can be as simple as joining a community effort to remove invasive plants. Engaging in activities like balsam removal allows participants to experience the numerous benefits of spending time in nature, including reduced stress levels, improved mood, and enhanced mental clarity.
By getting our hands dirty and working towards a common goal, we can deepen our connection to the natural world. Understanding symbiosis – the interconnectedness and mutual dependence of all living things – is central to the approach. By actively participating in the restoration of natural habitats, we can learn about the delicate balance of ecosystems and our role within them. This knowledge fosters a sense of responsibility and stewardship, encouraging us to give back to nature as much as we receive. Spending time in nature is how we embrace our connection to it. Being a steward to it is how we create our connection to nature. This is one thing we can come together and have an impact on, giving back to nature in a way it desperately calls out to us for our help with.
So, how can you get involved? It’s simple. Grab as many mates, family, loved ones, and community members as you can. Equip yourselves with gloves and clothing to avoid nettle stings, a sturdy pair of boots, and a sense of adventure. Head to your nearest riverbank and look for the tall, pink-flowered invaders. Pull them up by the roots, being careful to remove the entire plant to prevent re-rooting. The plants will reroot at the nodes along their stems, so make big piles of them, scrunching them up as best as possible. This way, the plants at the top of the pile can’t reach the ground, and the plants at the bottom won’t get the sunlight. They will soon break down, given their high water content, putting wonderful nutrients back into the soil.
Join one of our regular Balsam Bashing sessions with Pendle Plant Craft, where you can learn all you need to know about identifying and removing Himalayan Balsam. Our community events include balsam removal outings, nature walks, and seed bomb-making sessions to engage participants of all ages and backgrounds. Offering insights into native plant identification, biodiversity conservation, sustainable gardening practices, and the culinary and medicinal uses of native plants. Learn all about our surroundings while we do it and the plants we can introduce later in the year by harvesting and spreading native seed in areas we’ve cleared of Balsam. Sharing enough information for you to be able to start your own groups of Balsam Bashers too!
Imagine the satisfaction of clearing a section of riverbank, knowing that your efforts are directly contributing to the restoration of native habitats. The sense of achievement and well-being that comes from working with others towards a common goal is immeasurable. By fostering a community spirit, we can create lasting bonds and inspire others to take action.
Help us build something meaningful, raising awareness for what a multi-layered, solution-focused, myriad of benefits opportunity this is. Join our sessions, learn the ropes, and take the knowledge back to your own communities. If you work for or with any kind of support service that you think could gain benefit from group sessions, please do get in touch. We would be happy to chat about joining you in your locale to help you get sessions set up. Let’s pull together, quite literally, to create a healthier, more vibrant ecosystem for all.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a nature enthusiast looking for a new way to connect with the environment, balsam bashing offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact. By becoming active participants in the preservation of our natural world, we not only improve our physical landscapes but also enhance our mental and emotional well-being.
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