an energising 45mins to break up the morning at a desk.

Lots of cigarette butts and it looks like our cleaner is on holiday as this only happens when someone else cleans the streets. Thankfully I brought my gloves so I cleared all the planters.

A couple of planters had plants pulled out, which is annoying - why would people do it?!

the planters needed water but most of the planters are leaking water from the bolts/nuts so there's no way to fill up the reservoirs. I need to do aome DIY and bring filler to try and seal them.

A couple of lovely conversations as well, a lovely break from work!

P.S. forgot to bring my phone so old photo!

A lovely session this morning to plant our colourful geraniums, petunias and bizzy lizzies

Lovely to speak to some locals, one of which let me know that yesterday council watered all the planters (I was wondering why they were all wet and who watered them)! this meant we could take it easy and only had to fill cans twice to water newly plants flowers!

Feels good to contribute to a bit of greenery where there wouldn't be any otherwise!

A quick session to water as it's hot out there!

Discovered that someone took a full bag if compost that I left in a secure area, why would anyone steal that?!

anyways planters looking good!

What a way to start the week!

Sourcing materials🌺: I started the session with a visit to a garden centre to get some compost, perennials (Choysia and Lavender) and annuals (petunias and impatiens).

Tidying up🧹: Usually there is some litter/cigarette butts in the planters but this morning there was hardly anything (thanks to the cleansing team in Hainault, who do the most important job of all - daily planter maintenance - thank you!). I did some weeding, picked out an apple (🙄) , washed out coffee out of one planter (seriously 😡.

Replanting: One of the planters has died its death, I think due to being pulled out a while back - everything dried out and weeds have taken over. Surprisingly it was very easy to take it out and put it into bags provided by cleansing van people, who kindly said we can just leave these by the bins and they will collect. I laid the compost in stages, watering in between as it was quite dry and fluffy. I've planted fresh plants and flowers, topped up with bark and gave it a proper soak. Hopefully, it all settles and blooms soon 

Watering : This was a bicep-busting work as usual and I ensured that all reservoirs are filled, all planters were soaked, especially under the bridge as they don't get rained on. It's quite satisfying knowing the plants will not be thirsy for a bit!

Chatting 😊: It's always nice to meet new people and catch-up with the ones I know whilst doing this, station staff offered to help create a laminate sign for our storage so it's not used for cleaning purposes, and it's lovely to hear from those who appreciate a little bit of greenery here - thank you for your kind words!

It's always quite satisfying afterwards and I was glad to see the rain as well, it's been waaaay to dry this spring so any additinal water is always welcome! Until next time!

Though I didn't get out to the session on Sunday (it was only me after all), I ended up watering planters late at night on Monday evening after returning from the city. It was soooo cold!

I ended up scaring a cleaner in the men's toilet but the job was done and planters definitely needed it!

next session is on the 18th! My work kindly offers volunteer days so I'll be spending a good chunk of time to replant one planter and fill all reservoirs with water!

A lovely morning catching up with fellow goodgymmers whilst doing good! Sharon was planting the new season annuals - petunias and impatiens and tidying up the planters with extra bark chips! James did a super speedy job of filling up all the reservoirs whilst I was watering on top of the planters.

Everything is looking so much better now! Thank you everyone!

Next session is on the next bank holiday monday to hopefully replant a couple of older planters that are in need of fresh plants!