This week, myself and Mark joined Viv, Lumen, and a team of hardworking local volunteers to tackle some seasonal gardening tasks—it’s officially the season for cutting back!

We focused on clearing and tidying to keep the area looking its best. One key job was cutting back the hedge that was overhanging the path, making sure it’s clear and accessible for all pedestrians.

Lumen also shared another brilliant tip. To identify whether a plant is truly dead and in need of a cut back, cut a small section away and look for green inside. Or gently scrape the stem. If you see green, the plant is alive and kicking! 🌱

We also spent time deadheading flowers and collecting their seeds for next year 🌺.

The planters are looking neat and ready for the months ahead. We’ll be back soon to keep up the good work—come join us! 🌱✨

We had the first of our bulb planting tasks tonight, with nine volunteers making their way to Alexandra Recreation Ground to plant some tulips while the squirrels were asleep. The task almost didn't happen as our task owner Millie wasn't well (get well soon!) but Mark saved the evening by cycling to pick up the keys to the tool shed on his night off. What a legend!

Once we'd got the shed open, we had fun trying to work out which bulbs were tulips. Luckily our resident horticulturalist Rosie was on hand to guide us and give us tips on optimal bulb planting.

Our next challenge was breaking into the soil: as we've had very little rain over the last few weeks, the ground was rock hard, which definitely put the Gym in GoodGym. After a bit of trial and error, though, we perfected our hole digging technique (the spade as a pogo stick approach worked best) and in less than half an hour we had planted all our bulbs. Big shout out to Michelle who was taking part in her first task - I appreciate that digging holes in the dark is a pretty unconventional way to spend a Monday night (and definitely attracted some bemused looks from dog walkers...) so well done for getting stuck in!

After filling in our holes and covering them with leaves to confuse the squirrels, we ran back to the Bridge House for stretches. Excellent work team!

The community garden at Geffrey’s Hall is looking crazy overgrown but a little less so now!

I pulled out all the big weeds in the “lawn” so Martin could come through with the mower.

Unfortunately the grass was too thick and wet so it might have to wait until we have the strimmer working 💪