Advice on Himalayan Balsam

[HarryB]

I’d appreciate any advice on how to get rid of Himalayan Balsam in the back garden of a house we recently bought. It’s situated about 50ft away from the back of our house, covering an area I’d estimate at 35ft x 85ft, sloping down to a very small stream (more of a storm drain than a stream but nevertheless it's water which runs at the bottom of several rear gardens in our street). At the other side of the stream is farmland and an orchard.

From what I’ve read, it’s best to cut the plants to ground level before June when they begin to flower. Trouble is we’re at the end of September so should I still cut them to ground level, or try to pull them out completely, or get them sprayed, or what? Also I’m unsure as to whether or not I can put the dead plants out with my normal garden rubbish or if they have to be disposed of separately?

Any advice welcomed.

[Jim Ford]

It's too late too do anything this year - the seed has been set and broadcast. As the plants are annual this years growth will die anyway, but this years seeds will produce next years plants. I'd leave it 'till June next year as you've read.

The good news about weeds is that you can cut them down faster than they can produce new growth. You can eradicate all weeds by constantly cutting them back to ground level as soon as they poke their heads above ground. The plants don't have an inexhaustible supply of underground food store to replenish the top growth, so they will eventually weaken and die.

The bad news about weeds is that when you turn your back on them they don't stop growing - when you're sitting watching the television they're at it! You must be vigilant and relentless!

Jim

[ceterach]

Hi

As Jim said, they are an annual and so will die down soon. The old plants will disappear to nothing so a small compost heap in a corner will get rid of them.

Next year simply mowing the area on a regular basis as they germinate will be the end of them.

The presence of Balsam suggests that the area gets regular flushing/flooding in the winter, do you intend to incorporate it into your garden. If you plant out other species, Balsam seedlings are easy to identify and weed out.

They are not what you would call a pernicious weed.

All the best

[coasty]

Yes they are an annual However your location next to a water course means that you will have a never ending battle with this stuff. So you will have to keep on top of it by cutting and or mowing..

If you let any establish then the seeds pods when the split can I am told expel seeds about 7m. So they would spread.

Good luck its very persistent and now very well established .

[Darley]

Originally Posted by HarryB

I’d appreciate any advice on how to get rid of Himalayan Balsam in the back garden of a house we recently bought. It’s situated about 50ft away from the back of our house, covering an area I’d estimate at 35ft x 85ft, sloping down to a very small stream (more of a storm drain than a stream but nevertheless it's water which runs at the bottom of several rear gardens in our street). At the other side of the stream is farmland and an orchard.

From what I’ve read, it’s best to cut the plants to ground level before June when they begin to flower. Trouble is we’re at the end of September so should I still cut them to ground level, or try to pull them out completely, or get them sprayed, or what? Also I’m unsure as to whether or not I can put the dead plants out with my normal garden rubbish or if they have to be disposed of separately?

Any advice welcomed.

I don't think you should be putting ANY plant material out with your rubbish - doesn't your local council operate a composting service?

It grows wild in our local nature reserves and doesn't appear to be a problem, so this is all news to me! If you wish to take action now, your best bet is probably Roundup or Tumbleweed - if you're careful not to allow the spray to drift.

[coasty]

Lots of information on Balsam on tinternet,,, It is a very persistent damaging species...

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by coasty

It is a very persistent damaging species...

Not as persistent and damaging as humans! The secret with weeds is not to give them any respite. DON'T let them set seed, by cutting them down whilst they're still in early flower. They're so soft that you may be able to get away with just trampling them down. Be vigilant and don't ignore them for a single season. Don't give up - you'll win in the end after a couple of years or so!

NOTE: Monsanto's 'Roundup' has been mentioned. This weed killer is very effective, but I've read that it's now considered to be very damaging to amphibians. As the damp habitat that Himalayan Balsam grows in is favoured by frogs, newts and toads, it's probably best not to use Roundup.

Jim

[svenrufus]

I don't think you have to be quite so active as others are suggesting - the only thing you have to avoid is flowers setting seed. Leave it now as for this year the damage is done. but don't worry about getting every seedling as it emerges next year unless you really have time, as you just need to hack it down in time to stop the seeds - a one off treatment should be fine each year, and I recommend manual work, no need for chemicals with this, it is pretty easy to clear.

The only reason for doing anything more active by cutting as it emerges is to try to create more open ground in the garden for other growth next year, as Balsam can smother all other vegetation - this is the reason it is a problem when it turns up. If it is solid and there is no other vegetation in the area, you may want to consider transplanting other plants suitable to the area from around to fill in the blanks, otherwise being next to a stream you could face some erosion problems on the bare ground that is left behind when you clear it.

You can expect to be doing some weeding of this plant for a good long while in your garden just based on the seedbank that will already exist - however, if neighbouring properties also have it, you will need to find a way to tackle the whole area rather than just your own, if you want to ever have it completely and finally gone from your garden. You may need to talk with neighbours to get some overall action started or just take the initiative it is public land and pull it out as you go for walks past it next year.

Good luck!