Mulch ado about nothing

After last week's soaking it was a joy to meet up in the dry with the hope of spring poking its head just around the corner!

It was our first session back at the Community Kitchen Garden at Chiswick House last night, and the start of our regular visits there every few weeks. It's an important local resource for local communities, and is run as a charity. At one time not too long ago the kitchen garden was in a state of neglect and disrepair until a group of local residents turned it into a community project which is today used for teaching local residents, schools and community groups about horticulture and growing food.

It was only a short run down to the gates where we were met by one of the lead gardeners Chris, who led us into the dark of garden, past the creepy disembodied warning voice, and to our task for the evening.

Our job was in two parts - to lay down cardboard in a huge area of the garden to prevent weeds growing as it gradually decomposes, and also to shovel mulch into bags to spread over it. This method means that the gardeners don't have to use weed killer and other nasty chemicals to keeps the weeds down, allows the nutrients to soak into the soil and also means that nothing is wasted. As Chris wisely said, 'if in doubt, mulch!'

The two teams got stuck right in, and before long we had loaded up countless bags of mulch to be transported to the cardboard lawn. With 30 hectares - the equivalent of 30 football pitches - of land to cover, there is plenty to keep us busy over the next few months!

Job done we headed over to Turnham green for a tough but effective speed fitness session. Great job on the shuttle runs everybody! Next week we have a community mission in partnership with Wild Chiswick, and there are also two great missions coming up to help protect the riverway - you can sign up here and here - and this one features shire horses!.

Have a great few days of doing good and getting fitter GG!