My MP is the fragrant Green Party leader Caroline Lucas.
Her beloved party runs Brighton and Hove Council, and they are responsible for banning the use of weed-killers along our pavements, etc.
As a result the city is awash with weeds. Anywhere a weed will grow; it will and does!
However, on the plus side it does mean we have all sorts of things growing where they normally wouldn't. Here are a few that I spotted yesterday on nearby pavements.
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Never a dull footstep.
They'd brighten up a gentle stroll along.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't help noticing them which is why I took the photos. There were lots more, but mostly of the same varieties.
DeleteI can see this causing a few problems. Walls needing repointing, cracked paving slabs. Not to worry it's not the councils money.
ReplyDeleteThe worst offenders are the 'Buddleia' which are everywhere. They really do lift the paving slabs, etc.
DeleteThey will have to get the people off the dole queue and get them out on the streets with hoes.
ReplyDeleteWot; physical work? You must be kidding.
DeleteYou could pick a pavement posy or two on your walks.
ReplyDeleteI could indeed. I could probably supply a whole wedding!
DeleteIt's nice to see nature bursting through concrete cracks. Weeds pop up in the most inhospitable places and they're ok when they produce colourful flowers .
ReplyDeleteIt is nice, but it's also a bit of a mess. I didn't photograph the worst bits, which are really quite disgraceful.
DeleteSurely there are "green" weedkiller alternatives available? I have heard of using vinegar or pelargonic acid, both of which are rapidly biodegraded.
ReplyDeleteWe have used Vinegar ourselves, it's not 100% successful. They would need a lot of it too!
DeleteTrouble is with those opportunist weeds that if they are simply left they will cause damage to pavements, kerbs and road surfaces. Their numbers will also increase.
ReplyDeleteIn some areas they have become overpowering, but the council still refuse to deal with them. They have other priorities.
DeleteBoiling hot water kills weeds. No need for chemicals but the water does really have to be just boiled. It is how I used to control paving weeds and moss.
ReplyDeleteThey would need special vehicles to 'boil and spray'; get your designer drawing kit out, you may have hit upon a good idea.
DeleteI always felt foot traffic and vehicles passing took care of most weed problems. Once I saw a hollyhock growing between a crack in the sidewalk and a stone wall. The hollyhock was quite tall and blooming. I scooped up some seed laying on the sidewalk and the hollyhock now grows in my garden too.
ReplyDeleteBack in France we used to find Wheat and Maize growing in strange places. But I presume it fell off the back of a lorry.
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