Turn On, Prune In, Check Out

Our tasks at the allotment consisted of meetings to discuss the future plans for the space and GoodGym's role in it... and also actual gardening work, namely pruning and weeding. We met Andrea, Mike and Keeley for prospective chat about collaborations between GG and the various other groups who use the allotment. There is scope for organising more Community MIssions at the plot with people from other groups joining us.

Andrea gave us a crash course in pruning the different varieties of fruit tree on the lotty. There are several varieties of apple. Some want to be pruned in specific ways to encourage healthy fruit and desired shapes of trees. The two main big trees are to be pruned in such a way that they resemble goblets. You want a broad spread. Downward pointing branches can be removed. Branches from the main trunks can also be pruned 3 or 5 shoots from the new growth to encourage 'up and out' growth. Any branches in the center reaching too far skyward can be chopped down to a size not topping the 'rim' of the 'cup'.

Pipped to the post

After the tree trimming frivolities we focused our efforts toward the bed that we planted earlier in the year. It needed weeding and we were the team fore the job! We had previously planted chard, rainbow chard, courgettes and leeks. Some of these were thriving but they were still surrounded by weeds that required removal. Some of the rainbow chard was sampled, though it is definitely an acquired taste raw as Kirsty can attest to judging from the facial expressions on display.

With jobs for the day completed, we downed tools and vacated the growing space.