On Monday night we headed to the thoroughly parched micro forest in Norman Park for a double dip of cardio and botany.

Teaming up with James and Alex from the Friends of Norman Park, we used the on-site water butt and cans to revive young saplings while learning how the forest is designed to become self-sufficient.

The trees were planted close together following the Miyawaki method, named after Japanese botanist Dr Akira Miyawaki. Because it is so crowded, the young trees are supposed to race upward for sunlight rather than growing wide, leading to growth rates 10x faster than standard planting.

After watering and weeding for the first two to three years, the micro forest is meant to become entirely self-sufficient – but given our boiling hot summer they need our help to survive.

We'll be back in September for more watering and weeding.

Special mention this week to long-time GoodGymer, first time Group Runner Mairi.

Next Monday it's the turn of Church House Gardens, then back to Bromley Palace Park on the 31st.