Sort of… It was our monthly visit to Bath Community Gardens, doesn’t the time fly. Bennath, Meyrick and Kate spent a lovely couple of hours working hard in the glorious May sunshine. Meyrick dug some good holes in the poly tunnel beds and Kate filled them with manure and water, for Meyrick to then top them off with a little mound of soil. Finishing off the dirt sandcastles with a little stick flag. The idea being cucumbers will be planted in the mounds. Meanwhile Kate continued to load up the wheelbarrow with manure and added it to a second bed in the poly tunnel, prepping the soil for further planting. Bennath escaped the warmth of the tunnel and was very diligently removing weeds and hoeing beds that were already sporting their planty wears. Naturally we got called to stop for break time and we had a lovely chat with some of the regulars. Always a pleasure and we look forward to seeing everyone next month.

I 'potted' up at Bath Organic Garden on our monthly visit to find Aaron and Cosmo already hard at work on one of the beds. Apparently volunteers are welcomed from 10am (if we can get there).

Our job this time was to rake in some green compost (fast growing nitrogen-rich plants) into some of the plots. But first we had to clear them of stones and weeds. We also found a lot of potatoes - which could make a tasty meal for growers if baked in their home-made oven.

It was a beautiful day and we made good progress. Soon it was time for tea. Organiser Dan supplied some extraordinary biscuits from his skiing holiday. Licorice and strawberry jammy dodgers anyone?

Special mention to Cosmo on his 99th mission - I wonder if he'll dye his hair a new colour to celebrate his 100th.

We were back at the Bath Organic Community Garden today, where we now have a monthly slot. It was a beautiful crisp morning: snowdrops and crocus’ were looking vibrant, which was very welcome after all the rain. Everyone was in good spirits and after a debrief on the tasks for the morning we got stuck in. Emily and Cos took on the task of cleaning the poly tunnels, using an organic liquid that smelt of vinegar. Fish and chips anyone? They smashed through this and managed to scrub the solution over two sizeable tunnels in the two hours we were there. Once applied, this will kill all the algae and prevent the build up of grime which means the sun can get through to the plants inside! When we get any sun…

The rest of the group, Ruth, Meyrick and Kate, went to the apple orchard to do some pruning. We were given some good instructions (and some scary tools) on the bits of the tree that needed to be removed, but we were all a little bit tentative when left to our own devices, worried we’d remove the wrong bits of the tree! But we did our best which is all we can ask and managed to trim some bits off.

The morning was a success, and we were rewarded with the little tea break half way through; tea and homemade cakes in abundance. Even a cheeky Robin popped in to steal crumbs from our table.

Another great morning, everyone!

Today saw our return to Bath Organic Group, after a very long hiatus. This used to be a popular mission and we were all looking forward to getting back into it.

We were casually greeted and given a quick fire guide of the tasks up for grabs. These included: hedge laying (not an easy task for the uninitiated, and I speak from experience), cutting back some pesky willow trees and our favourite, carting wheelbarrows of mulch and spreading it over a raspberry bed and a gooseberry orchard. As usual, we all got stuck in! Four of us: Kate, Cosmo, Meyrick and Emily turned their hands to carting mulch and gently setting it down in the beds. The ground was very frozen and it did feel like we were tucking the plants up tight and warm. Ruth and Bennath made friends with the willow trees and gave them a good haircut.

A massive congratulations to Ruth! Today's mission marked her 100th! Thank you for your hard work and support!

A visit to BOG isn’t complete without a tea break and they didn’t disappoint. About an hour in we were called in for tea and cake and we had the opportunity to chat to some of the lovely regulars. After a little pit stop we got right back to it, and as ever time flies and our time was up.

It was so good to be back, and everybody had a great time. Fingers crossed we can make this a regular event! Failing that, there is a Wassail on the 17th January and we might all go for a bit of a shout and a stomp around to help the apple trees. I was told that last year they had a bumper crop, so I expect there will be plenty of cider!

Thanks all!

Jer and Laura showed punctuality this morning at the Bath Organic Garden. They had a busy and engaging morning – their first task was to neaten and widen the path through the orchards in preparation for Bath in Bloom. Laura’s attendance was a break from end of year school report writing. She relished the chance to make progress with a hand sickle. Jer further developed his scything skills, whilst clearing the paths around the orchard and should be commended for his perseverance. During the brief tea break, all volunteers continued to build on their social skills. The volunteers returned promptly to work and were excited by the opportunity to take on other tasks. Tim tasked them with pruning the apple trees and vines to promote fruit development. The Goodgymers sets an example of excellence in behaviour and cooperation in this task with Jer pruning the tall branches and Laura working on the lower branches. It was wonderful to see their confidence grow over the morning in new and unfamiliar situations and approaches challenges with a can-do attitude! It was a true pleasure to watch them flourish this morning. There showed true eagerness even staying a few minutes extra until a very heavy downpour dampened their effort. I am very excited to see what the Bath in Bloom judges think of their achievements on the widening of the pathway!

it's been quite a destructive week for GoodGym at Bath. To follow up Tuesday's task of ripping up an incorrectly laid path, we arrived at the Organic Garden to be given the task of ripping up some hedges.

These rather pretty hedges have unfortunately been overrun by box blight, a destructive moth invasion for which Tim has decided the best cure is to get rid of the hedges altogether.

We got stuck in with loppers, and made fast, and thoroughly destructive progress.

A baby robin came to investigate at one point, or possibly offer to eat the caterpillars we were getting rid of.

Jer finished up the mission with some classic mattock action to try to get some roots out. Who doesn’t enjoy some GoodGym mattocking!?