As this relentless dry spell continues, a team of nine GoodGymers showed up to help keep Olden Community Garden's plants hydrated and alive. Numbers had looked a bit low at first - but once it was confirmed we'd be lifting watering cans, not yet more railway sleepers, sign-ups more than doubled! I wonder which task people prefer?

Taking turns filling watering cans and circulating the 2-acre site, we prioritised the most vulnerable young plants, the pots, and all the vegetables, and smashed through the task in record time. It was particularly rewarding to see the fully constructed, impressive stage - built using the very sleepers we'd hauled across the garden on a run earlier this summer.

Huge thanks to Charles for hosting us (and instructing us so well!), and to everyone who turned out despite the heat.

See you next week? I suspect there might be some more watering on the cards...

Hot Monday night, and 6 legends made their way to ARC. We welcomed Joe to his 1st Goodgym session. Some of us 🏃‍♂️ and the others just 🧙‍♂️ at the meeting point. Mission tonight was to water the fruit trees and the beds as very hot and the plants are in need of water. The team took the water from the water butt's and we had enough time to litterpick in the garden. Making our way back we collected rubbish in Canal Square where we found empty bottles of water, energy drinks, vodka, buzz balls and plastic bags of rubbish. Da Marcus was smiling alot : was it the laughing canisters he found? Two bags of rubbish where collected. wat-er session .

The team were back helping volunteers from Stoke Newington Common Users Group (SNUG) with the monthly weeding and plant care. With the ground so dry, we didn't want to disturb it too much. So we agreed to focus on deadheading any flowers that had passed, and getting rid of bindweed. There is always bindweed to be removed. As we worked, we discovered several self-seeded saplings to be pulled up too.

After an hour, there wasn't a strand of bindweed in sight, and with the morning rapidly heating up, we agreed it was time to rehydrate.

Talking of which - we'll be back on the Common Wednesday to water the trees! Would be great if you can join us.