This was our 1st task at the Mulberry Tree Community Garden and the welcome was anything but “cold or frosty” (with acknowledgement to “here we go round the mulberry bush …”)

Task Owner Jo was ready for us when we arrived - two tasks awaited with plenty of physical effort required!

One group took on the mammoth task of clearing a section of the garden that had become a dumping ground for wood (branches, sticks, etc) and overgrown with ivy, nettles, creepers, etc. Once cleared it uncovered a rich vein of compost and soil which was bagged and made ready for use elsewhere in the garden.

Another group worked on rebuilding a raised bed with a “hugelkultur” approach. The soil that half-filled the bed was removed and stacked on one side and the raised bed rebuilt with a base layer of cardboard and logs, with further layers of sticks&twigs&vines from the first task, wood-chip, manure, grass cuttings, soil, etc. Effectively building a compost pile in situ, with the logs etc also helping to retain water and release it when needed.

Asan was kept busy loading and shuttling wood-chip from a mound to the raised bed, and a number of goodgymers found time to contribute to both tasks.

In just under an hour both tasks had been completed and the crew gathered under the mulberry tree to enjoy a cup of herbal tea and biscuits - very generously provided by Jo. Welcome first-timers Gladys and Sharon Sharon, and a warm thanks to the rest of the crew The Neil, Dave, Paul, James, Ellie and her sister Grace (who joined as a visitor)

For some this was only the start to the evening, with several, including Sarah and Latoya who had worked late, joining Paul at pizza and craft beer venue True Craft to celebrate his birthday.

Mark Jennings