Three Pigeons Plot Rescue: Week 3

We were all very ALERT during this week’s Three Pigeons Plot rescue sessions, keeping our distance from each other and also ensuring we stayed 2m from the numerous passers by who wanted to stop and chat and say thank you for the transformation of the flower bed.

We've already made a massive difference, not only keeping the plants alive during the dry weather but also by really improving the area around the plot including the steps down to the Thames.

Sunday 10 May. Harry, Anita and Kate. We did a long session on Sunday morning tackling an assortment of tasks including weeding, watering, planting and pebble relocation. We finally got the sedum plants donated by Petersham Nurseries into the plot as well as more of the chives, Rosemary and thyme from City Harvest. High points included Kate’s discovery of a trowel lost months ago and a job offer from a passing cyclist who asked “Do you do private gardening? You make a great team’.

Tuesday 12 May. JP. "Flinging Nettles". I went down to the 3 Pigeons this morning to continue the work I had started on the weeding and clearing of the steps down the river. The flowerbed looked even more glorious than on my last visit, with new plants and plenty of flowers in bloom. The sun was gorgeous and the air warmer than the last couple of days. Anita had supplied a couple of organic waste bags and I was determined to make use of them, so I got to work on the nettles and weeds on the steps, with Kevin Bridges's audiobook to keep me company. I was happy to have brought a proper set of gloves this week as a lot of the work involved removing tall and vicious stinging nettles, but I was soon "flinging nettles" into a rapidly increasing pile before bagging them up. As I got to the end of my allocated time and stood back to admire the work, and realised someone had nicked my bike jacket! Luckily I found it a few hundreds yards away and it still contained my house and bike keys or I'd have found myself in "outside lockdown"! Be careful everyone - there are still opportunist thieves about!

Thursday 14th May. Kate. I went watering again on Thursday, hoping those little herbs will take root.

Thursday 14th May. Adam. Following on from th e Good Gymers hard work on VE Day. The poppies certainly looked an impressive sight. Wanting to maintain their natural habitat, when I arrived there were plenty of bees there to greet me. Subsequently, I set to work on replenishing there water supply, while trying to avoid falling into the Thames. Certainly both people in boats and passers by alike were admiring the poppies.

Friday 15th May. Salwa. Weeding.

*Friday 15 May. John. * I did weeding, tidying up and removal of dead bits, weeded by the steps and swept up just outside the border. Met Mayna with her friend's sausage dog.

Two of our sponsors who have been so generous in donating plants are reopening. So a particular ‘thank you’ and a GG ‘three cheers’ to Homebase Richmond (reopened) and Petersham Nurseries (who will be partly reopening EVERY WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, 10am – 5pm from 20 May)