The volunteers met today at Bluebelles Cafe https://maps.app.goo.gl/eptp31TgfxDZbYUG7 where Anna from Energy Garden, our fearless leader, brought a map she made of the Finchley Central Station garden and cut out pics of flowers and shrubs for us to choose to plant in autumn now for growing in spring/summer for a hotter, dryer climate, so less traditionally English and more a mix of Mediterranean and Prairie but with some more drought-resistant faves.

We had a full house of volunteers at the station today and it definitely was a case of many hands make light work as we tidied and cleaned and cleared and also ensured that the compost bins were well stocked. Soon we will get down to planting for next year!

Stalwarts Liz and Liz, Sarah, Energy Gardens leader Anna and GoodGymer Subham helped cut the dead plants to prepare for next round of growth. Garden looking bare but clean and pretty good especially given the recent weather! Especially the tomatoes!

Short session today, giving the plants much needed (but limited) watering as we let what can survive, survive, in the knowledge that this is how it will be from now on. The volunteers also put in signs to show the public that we are dealing with low watering, extremely dry conditions. At least the tomatoes seem to be doing OK!

We had a decent contingent today, with stalwarts Lisa, Margaret, Sarah and Energy Garden's Anna joined by me and recent volunteer Dylan helping out. While I set up impromptu trellis for the tomato plants, which are doing super well, folk got down to harvesting the lavender a good 3-4 weeks earlier than usual but as with much else, we have to realize that this, heat and drought, are the new normal. Speaking of that, after the gardening, we sat down to planning for different planting that should be more drought resistant and heat friendly that we will undertake in the autumn. We still want to keep it aesthetically pleasing for the garden to continue to be a balm and respite for the weary commuters, who again as always, gave us many thanks.

Due to summer hols, just Anna from Energy Gardens, Subham from GoodGym and first time, new volunteer Dylan at first. After some intros, we got in to much needing watering and clearing of dead plants, debris and, fortunately an uncommon task, litter-picking. Long time stalwart Lisa came by on her way to the movies in town and helped harvest some of the lavender, way early due to the incessant heat.

HIghlights included further, super-striking purple artichoke flowers and a crazily hummingbird-like moth (see pic , unfortunately video is not uploadable here)! Also, plants that Barnet GoodGym leader Paul had planted began to flower and are looking great!

As always, we were thanked by many a commuter, which always brings a smile!