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: 50

Eatweeds Podcast: For People Who Love Plants
Podcast Episodes
EP42: Medicinal Forest Gardens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:48
In this episode, I talk with Anne Stobart, who set up the Medicinal Forest Garden Trust, about why we need to grow medicinal and food trees instead of just ornamental trees and shrubs.
EP41: It’s Not Just For You Human [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:54
A short audio essay on sustainable harvesting and ethical wildcrafting. Spoken by Robin Harford from Eatweeds.
EP40: Plants & Colour with Flora Arbuthnott [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:42
In this episode I talk with natural plant dye artist, Flora Arbuthnott. We discuss her fascination with using wild plants to create beautiful art and how the practice of gathering feedsback into nurturing creativity and…
EP39: What's That Plant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:23
Mark Duffell is one of Britain's foremost botanists and ecologists. We discuss... The best way for beginners to learn plant identification. Why the ecology of a plant is important to know before harvesting. Forager or pi…
EP38: Let's Talk Trespass [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:37
Nick Hayes author of the 'Book of Trespass' discusses the reason why Right to Roam is so important to the nation's mental health and wellbeing. Why access to the countryside helps people deepen their connection to nature…
EP37: Sound Walks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:18
Emma Welton, a musician who lives locally to me discusses listening as a nature connection practice. How active listening can develop a deep empathic relationship with the natural world. The section on using sound to ide…
EP36: Nettle Eater [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:05
Tom Hirons is a nature based poet and storyteller. In this interview we discuss his work and how as creative humans we can all express our inherent wildness through creative and magical acts. Show notes at eatweeds.co.uk…
EP34: Prison Plants [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:14
Nicole Rose runs Solidarity Apothecary which materially supports revolutionary struggles and communities with plant medicines to strengthen collective autonomy, self-defence and resilience to climate change, capitalism a…
EP33: Foraging, Rewilding and Nature Connection [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:55
Lucy O'Hagan takes us on a journey exploring ancestral ways and rewilding, foraging and nature connection. Why do it and how relevant is it in a hyper connected digital world. Show notes at eatweeds.co.uk