This is always a really good session, even if it is located at the top of a steep hill (that's where the gym element comes in!) Task number one was moving some wooden sleepers into position to make an area to grow ‘edibles’ , clearing away wood chip and then spreading compost in the bed. There were also a couple of shrubs to move and a couple to remove, some relocating of plants plus general tidying and watering. Maggie kept us busy and the refreshments manager (aka Maggie’s husband) kindly ensured we stayed hydrated and fuelled with ginger beer, pomegranate juice and ice creams! The unexpected spots of rain didn’t dampen our spirits and it was great to welcome Henry to his first task.

The Merton posse turned up at the community garden armed with their gardening gloves, knee pads and trowels, all set for a session of weeding. But as it turned out, first on the list of tasks was relocating the numerous (but very well hidden) caterpillars from the cabbage patches into the wild flower area.

Some of us were better than others at spotting the tiny green creatures, but thankfully there was plenty of watering, dead heading and general tidying of this wonderful community resource to keep those of us with less than great eyesight busy. And a gardening task wouldn't be a gardening task without at least a little weeding.

Any calories burnt off over the hour were more than made up for by the Scottish delicacies kindly shared with the team by Rachael. So everyone left with a smile on their face and sugar on their tongues. Well, you've got to refuel, right?

Thanks to the past few days of dry weather, this week's group session was the complete opposite of our last soggy one - and just in time! The Wimbledon Guild community garden shed was in need of a protective coat, relying on those crucial rain-free days. So armed with brushes, we split into pairs and tackled each side in sections with a top down approach.

In less than 30 minutes, the first coat was done! This perfectly timed efficiency meant we could add a second coat for extra protection. What a brilliantly productive session!

Tonight, we returned to Mostyn Gardens in Merton Park to create a new border for the external bed (an area we previously helped clear of weeds).

Some of us were tasked with digging a trench. Thankfully (or maybe not, given the resulting mud! 😉), the weather had softened the ground (improved further by the downpour while we were mid-task!) making it fairly soft and easy for our spades to make an impression.

With wheelbarrows at the ready, a couple of the team log-ged some serious miles collecting the wood for the border, piling it up ready to be staked into the ground.

For those seeking a slightly lighter task, there was also some pruning of the plum trees to be done - perfect for branching out from the rain! Handy that we came prepared with our secateurs.

Once the trenches were dug, it was all hands needed to fill them with logs and replace the (by now) mud.

It was good to welcome a couple of GoodGymers from out of the area and also Mik to his first task - not the easiest or the driest, but hopefully enjoyable nonetheless.

We got even more done than anticipated and are certainly helping this garden grow into something very special! 

Rain stopped play (or work) initially, as a thundery downpour soaked the garden, although full marks to Jade and Jo who kept calm and (tried to) carry on. Thankfully the deluge was quite brief and we could soon get stuck in clearing logs and stones in preparation for a new woodland display under the laurel tree, then digging it over, plus some general tidying and weeding. The garden is looking blooming lovely at the moment and the new insect hotel is the bee's knees.

It was one of the hottest evenings of the year but the heatwave didn't deter seven magnificent GoodGymers from running, walking or cycling up the steep hill that leads to the Ridgway. It was good to be back after our visit in May and this time we set to work trimming back a large tree, transplanting a shrub, spreading mulch and doing some weeding. Maggie and her husband kindly supplied juice and ice creams, which ensured there were no meltdowns. We look forward to returning in August.