A great goodgym turnout for New Year's Day double whammy task. The memorial wood close by was looking rather sad, with a number of gaps where saplings planted directly into the clay earth had struggled. So as there was an excess of gifted trees at the Tiny Forest these could be used to fill in some spaces whilst in their dormant period. Today's task was to give the new trees a better start. Some clay was removed, a heavy bar & pickaxe used to break through the clay layer, fresh Tiny Forest compost and feed added, tree planted, recycled stake and rabbit guard applied and finally a blanket of woodchip mulch to suppress weeds and retain moisture in the summer. We look forward to seeing the green shoots in spring. In order to make the trees cosy the efforts of the brave and tough goodgymers working in a chilling Northerly breeze must be recognised. Well done & thank you. Fortunately there were hot drinks and cakes afterwards in the sheltered Tiny Forest. January challenge bingo baked goods ticked off by 3 😋

A whopping massive turnout on New Year's day for the Tiny Forest despite the whopping massive hangovers. You're a hardy lot! Everyone quickly got to work to stay warm. The list of jobs was hammered. Compost bin emptied, bagged and barrowed over to the memorial forest. Hay piles from the meadow area, rotten apples and leaves put into compost bin to start the process over again. Mulch piles weeded and topped up. Those pesky creeping weeds removed from the edge of the Tiny Forest trees and cardboard suppression laid. Clay topsoil gathered from memorial forest, barrowed to Tiny Forest and used as bath infill. Bugs given more warm bedding and treats for their hotel.

After a sunny but breezy parkrun at Heslington - a first for Jane and a chance to pick up bonus Goodgymer Kit and dog Echo - we met at the Tiny Forest for some maintenance.

Three bathtubs had originally been installed at the site to provide water for the trees and habitat for wildlife, but the saplings have been growing well without additional water and the ponds were in a sorry state. We therefore took out two of the tubs, filling in the remaining holes, and partially emptied the third so it could be refreshed with rainwater ready for pond plants to improve its condition. This involved some artful arrangement of rocks to allow the frog-in-residence a means of escape! We also raked the arisings from the meadow area to ensure the site will bloom again next year.

After all the hard work, we took time to enjoy coffee and cake while basking in the glory of the (no longer) tiny trees.

Great to introduce folk to the York GG Tiny Forest. Despite the option of either weeding the edge of the forest to stop the grass intruding and taking the vital nutrients from the baby trees or taking artistic photos for sharing on socials, astonishingly all opted to weed. The Tiny Forest that York GG has created on Kimberlow Hill is there for all to enjoy. It was started in winter 2023 when we enriched the earth with compost. In spring 2024 over 600 saplings were dunked in mycorrhizal fungi and planted. The rest of that year was spent weeding and mulching. Despite the drought in 2025, the trees are all looking verdant and growing magnificently. If you feel like going back sometime, look out for sessions or post something on the social chat. It's a great place to connect with nature, watch the butterflies and have a picnic!

After a jolly Heslington Parkrun together we made our way up the hill to the not so Tiny Forest. Exclamations were made at how much it has grown despite the drought. All those bags of compost hauled & mulch strewn were evidently beneficial. Way to go all you York GGers. We quickly set to our tasks. Nick performed the key duty of setting up the picnic area. David rescued smaller trees from beneath the vigorous dog roses. Babs, Laura & Leanne got straight into the thick of it, crouching & tunnelling between the trees & thorns to weed. Nick spotted a woodpecker & beautiful blue butterfly before planting a honeysuckle to ramble over & disguise the compost area. Our tiny forest is looking verdant and coping with the dry spell, some areas are getting so dense that the trees are now suppressing the weeds. This type of forest usually takes about 3 years to become self sufficient - we are 18 months since planting & it's looking fantastic thanks to all our efforts. We ended with the obligatory coffee, picnic & catch up before heading our separate ways.

On the hottest day of the year, only mad dogs & Good Gymers would make their way up to Kimberlow Hill to Good GYm York's very own Tiny Forest. Although the Tiny Forest is growing amazingly fast, it is only 16 months old and the trees aren't able to provide us with shade just yet - luckily we have a selection of lovely hats and a parasol over the picnic area. Some of us carried on weeding, this is much easier now the whole area is mulched. Others dug over the compost heap, watered the 'back up' trees & cut back the dog roses which are doing so well they are at risk of swallowing some of the smaller trees. A variety of new insects & wild flowers were spotted, unfortunately one big blood sucking beast - yet to be identified took a liking to Becca. All in all a lovely relaxing morning caring for the forest followed by refreshments & chatter.