Page 10 - ALG Issue 1 2019

Q&MAike Thurlow...
I have tried to select questions that may be topical and cover most aspects of the vegetable garden/ allotment. Allotment gardening covers a wide range of interests; if you want to include any other areas of gardening please send your questions in.
QHimalayan balsam Tyres
Could you let me know if you have any guidelines on the most effective control of Himalayan Balsam on allotment
plots which we could use to inform our plotholders? I would appreciate any advice you could offer. With best wishes,
Jean, Assistant Clerk
AHimalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) has been identified as an invasive non-native species in England and Wales under Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to plant or otherwise cause these species to grow in the wild.
It is spread via explosive seed pods that can propel the seeds
up to 3 or 4 metres. It is most commonly found growing along river banks and shady, damp areas. The plants are fairly shallow rooting and they should be pulled up before they have the chance to set seed. A note of caution; the plants produce high levels of pollen over a long period so take care to warn anyone who may be working around them. Regular strimming on level ground will weaken the plants, eventually overcoming the problem. But remember when working along rivers and streams, the terrain may be unsafe for strimming. It is illegal to use herbicides near watercourses so in these circumstances pulling may be the safer option.
I would suggest that you take a look at the following websites for the best information:
www.nonnativespecies.org https://beta.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2018-01/ himalayan-balsam-controlling-it-on-your-land.pdf www.invasivespeciesireland.com
www.plantlife.org.uk
They all provide excellent information on the subject.
Q
I have recently undertaken a plot inspection and a tenant has placed two tyres on their plot to grow plants in. I have
checked the tenancy agreement and rules and there is no mention of tyres. In your experience have you come across this issue before and what would your thoughts be?
AThere aren't any specific rules regarding tyres, but there is a general rule that prohibits the bringing/dumping/storing of domestic refuse/rubbish on allotment plots. I think that in this instance the plotholder may have been inspired by one of the celebrity media gardeners promoting the recycling of
old tyres to make 'raised beds'. It is a particularly popular method of growing potatoes above ground. Each time that you have to earth
up you simply add another tyre and fill it
with earth or compost.
However, I can appreciate your
dilemma in dealing with this matter diplomatically. Tyres in themselves
are very dirty and are polluting
materials used in gardening.
Shredded tyres are being used to
construct modern artificial sports
surfaces and there are Health and
Safety issues emerging with them.
I would suggest a Site Management Committee meeting to insert a no tyres/ domestic rubbish policy in your set of site rules and either leave it at two tyres or request the removal of the tyres.
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