As this relentless dry spell continues, a team of nine GoodGymers showed up to help keep Olden Community Garden's plants hydrated and alive. Numbers had looked a bit low at first - but once it was confirmed we'd be lifting watering cans, not yet more railway sleepers, sign-ups more than doubled! I wonder which task people prefer?

Taking turns filling watering cans and circulating the 2-acre site, we prioritised the most vulnerable young plants, the pots, and all the vegetables, and smashed through the task in record time. It was particularly rewarding to see the fully constructed, impressive stage - built using the very sleepers we'd hauled across the garden on a run earlier this summer.

Huge thanks to Charles for hosting us (and instructing us so well!), and to everyone who turned out despite the heat.

See you next week? I suspect there might be some more watering on the cards...

A busy Monday task as five GoodGymers set about watering all of the trees in Sunnyside Community Gardens.

A hosepipe ban is in place so this involved filling buckets and watering cans and using wheelbarrows to more easily reach the trees furthest away from the tap. I got a little bit wet in the process but all worth it. We worked well covering the majority of the space and then had a slow walk back to Nags Head. Thanks Eslam for organising.

On a warm Monday evening, 13 keen Goodgymmers arrived at the idyllic Olden Community Gardens, just opposite Drayton Park station. This beautiful spot is could be easily missed when walking by Arsenal Stadium, but there are hidden allotments, butterfly gardens and neighbourhood connections built on an area that was dedicated for gathering WW2 debris in the past!

More information about Olden Community Gardens can be found here: https://www.oldengarden.org/

Welcome to first time Goodgymmer Lisa - Thank you for joining us!

We had a variety of tasks on offer for us, stretching between the main garden entrance, past many fox dens, and over to "the bridge gardens" (which expand over a working railway bridge for National Rail services).

- Task 1

Together, we helped to shovel 2 full builder's merchant bags of mixed compost from the main entrance (the only vehicle drop point for gardening material), over to a more convenient location. At least 6 of our crew filled portable tubs of compost, before carrying this material by hand. By the end of the session, we came together to lift the final bag of mulch safely and carefully to the intended spot. Great job all!

- Task 2

Our team helped with preparing the gardens for the potential heat wave next week! We located all of the available water points for hose pipes and watering cans, and set about dousing as many of the plants and saplings as possible. This was a difficult task, as Olden Community Gardens is set on a hillside, and we needed to stretch the hose pipes around awkward corners and down slopes to effectively cover as many beds as possible. Between us, we did a smashing job within an hour of problem solving and teamwork!

Following our session, we enjoyed a trip to the Highbury Library bar and bottle shop to celebrate former Area Activator Simon's 800th good deed! A great way to close up a quality evening of Goodgymming- well done all!