A big thank you to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the Environment Agency for tackling the rampant and invasive Himalayan Balsam growing in the field adjacent to the orchard. They turned up this week with a team and equipment to mow down the weed.
Over the past few years the Himalayan Balsam has been spreading further across the adjacent field. The seed is scattered up to 5 metres from the plant when the seed pods mature and dry out. When the weed grows it can grow up to two metres high and it crowds out native plants. This year we've have to regularly patrol the orchard's field side hedge dealing with invasions of this weed.
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| The invaders in the adjacent field |
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| The Environment Agency mowing the weed |
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| After their work |
Thanks to Kath Stapley of the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust for organising this and providing the photographs.
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