Today's Balsam Bashing in a new spot in Kersal Dale. Trying to get as many down before they flower! Was making great progress but got hit by a thunderstorm! Going to pop back and finish off. We uncovered lots of little trees and shrubs. Hope they can flourish now!

#balsambashing #Salford #Uk #conservation.

So tonight's game of spot the balsam! Doing some hard to spot areas. This is good because all the obvious Balsam are now are gone!#balsambashing #conservation #bigbalsambash #kersalmoor

Here is an example of how Himalayan Balsam varies from a tiny little plant to a 10 foot tall monster. These are the roots of the same plant picked in different areas #balsambashing

So this evenings #balsambashing, managed to remember to wear some protective clothing so could get to a whole new patch between nettles, just caught them before flowering!

This is Himalayan Balsam, I have spent a few hours every day for the last few months on pulling this stuff out in my local nature reserve. I have removed thousands and thousands of them. It's an invasive species and there are other areas nearby where it has formed a "green desert" where nothing else can survive. I am determined my beautiful nature reserve will be protected! #hyperfixation #balsambashing

I still find it an incredible plant and I am in awe of it despite my eradication mission! It grows so well in so many diverse habitats. I can be a tiny plant or 10 foot tall. Shaded or full sunlight. Damp or dry soil. If you leave a tiny bit of root left it will grow back. If you pull it up and there is some soil left it keeps growing.