EP14: Why The Balsam Bashers Might Be Wrong: A New Way Of Looking At Invasive Plants

EP14: Why The Balsam Bashers Might Be Wrong: A New Way Of Looking At Invasive Plants

Author: Robin Harford July 11, 2017 Duration: 43:17

In this engaging episode of the Eatweeds podcast, Robin Harford sits down with Pete Yeo from Future Flora to delve deep into the debate surrounding invasive plants and their role in our environment. The hot topic? Whether balsam bashing holds up from a scientific standpoint.


Key Topics Discussed:

  • Foraging: How understanding invasive species can enhance our wild food adventures.
  • Wild Food: Why invasive plants might just be an unexpected culinary delight.
  • Invasive Species: Are these plants truly detrimental, or are they environmental saviors in disguise?
  • Wildcrafting: How the world of wildcrafting is influenced by the plants many consider to be invaders.

Episode Highlights:

  • Explore the fascinating dichotomy between what reductionist science labels as an opportunist or invader and what a holistic worldview champions as a Gaian first responder.
  • Embrace the saying: one person's weed could be another's wellspring of wisdom. What if the invasive plants we've been combating are actually vital for our ecosystem?

Ready for a paradigm shift on how you view the wild plants around you? Tune in to episode 14 of Eatweeds and join the conversation!

Eatweeds: Where foraging meets passion, and the wild becomes a way of life.

Show Notes


There's a quiet revolution happening just outside our doors, in the hedgerows, parks, and forgotten corners of the landscape. Eatweeds Podcast: For People Who Love Plants is your guide to that green world, hosted by forager and ethnobotanist Robin Harford. This isn't just a list of what's edible; it's a deep, sensory dive into our relationship with the flora around us. Each episode feels like a walk with a knowledgeable friend, one who points out not just the names of plants, but their stories, their historical uses, and their place in both ancient traditions and modern kitchens. You'll hear conversations that weave together practical foraging tips with cultural anthropology, exploring how plants have sustained human life for millennia as food, medicine, and material. Robin brings on experts and practitioners who share their hands-on experiences, from turning acorns into flour to understanding the medicinal compounds in a common weed. The podcast moves seamlessly from the science of plant identification to the folklore buried in their old names, creating a rich tapestry that connects listeners directly to their environment. It’s for anyone who has ever looked at a plant and wondered, "What's your story?" This series provides those answers, fostering a deeper appreciation for the wild, often overlooked bounty that grows all around us, making every walk an opportunity for discovery and connection.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 58

Eatweeds Podcast: For People Who Love Plants
Podcast Episodes
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EP31: The Importance of Ethnobotany - An Interview with Mark Nesbitt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:34
Ethnobotany is the study of the interrelationship between people and plants, historically and cross-culturally, particularly the role of plants in human culture and practices, how humans have used and modified plants, an…
EP30: Edible City - Urban Foraging During Lockdown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:36
John Rensten (author of Edible City) discusses how to keep foraging in a city during the coronavirus lockdown. How to stay safe, keep your distance and why foraging is vitally important for mental and physical wellbeing.
EP29: Calm Ease [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:23
A discussion on foraging, stillness and mindfulness as a way to work with difficult feelings during the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.