Is it a lovely plant for the garden or just a nuisance? Himalayan Balsam has a reputation of destruction and domination, however bees do use it as a source of nectar. Pete our dedicated volunteer worked his boots off clearing the balsam near Alness last week – but eating it would take too long.
The more accepted method is to pull it up with the root and snap before the first node. There was masses though and mixed in with nettles too. It wasn’t possible to avoid the stings, but I hear its good for arthritis pain.
These are before and after shots along the burn. Gorse had to be cut back a bit before we could get to it though. The result should encourage greater biodiversity and less erosion of the soil. Only another 20 days work on this!
