We were back at Stoke Newington Common today, this time watering the young trees planted previously in the year and mulched at the weekend. One GoodGymer joined the Stoke Newington Users Group (SNUG) volunteers to get the job done.

The trolley full or containers was filled with water and the group set off to the furthest away trees, which needed 3 containers of water each. After a refill, the next batch of thirsty trees were tended to. Thereafter, it was time to water the youngest of the trees - those planted earlier this year and still in their protective plastic tubing. They needed just 1/3 of a container each but there were about ten times as many, so there were several trips back and forth to the water tap to refill the containers again. And again....

After 1.5, all trees were hydrated and it was time for the group to head home for some refreshments of their own.

The Stoke Newington Common Users Group (SNUG) were back out on the common today, mulching young trees ahead of the dry summer days. One GoodGymer went along to lend a hand.

Before the group could get started, they needed to collect wheelbarrows, spades and shears from Abney Park Cemetery. From there, the volunteers proceeded across to Stoke Newington Common and the mulch pile. The target was to distribute ALL the mulch by the end of the session.

With barrows filled, the group systematically visited the young trees, weeding around the roots before piling on the mulch - one barrow per tree. Having planted lots of young trees earlier in the year, there was plenty to do, requiring multiple trips back and the forth to the mulch pile.

Within 2 hours, the mulch pile was no more, all the trees were protected and the group were able to get away home before the rain came on.

3 GoodGym volunteers helped Jack shift soil ready for new raised beds at Pembury Community Garden.

Once the community garden was located and the team found a work around to accessing the soil, which was within a locked garden area of the estate (solution = climbing over the fence), the task went ahead, as GoodGym joined Jack and the team for their regular growing session!

A true GoodGym workout with some extra problem-solving thrown in for good measure!

Great to meet first-timer, Brandon.

With 6 planters to fill, we'll be back at Pembury for more soil-shifting soon.

Matt and Anne were on hand to help tidy up the front garden, which had be one overgrown with grass, brambles and an assortment of other vegetation which was to be removed.

Task Owner, Alice, had already made a start in the week and was glad of the extra help to get the job finished.

As ever, the biggest challenge was what lay beneath the surface, to ensure roots were lifted along with the rest of the plant. And then after extracting the whole plant, shaking the soil off the roots so there was still something to plant fresh flowers and shrubs in. A few interesting 'historical finds' were also made, prompting the questions, how long does it take for a crisp packet to rot?, and when was scaffolding invented? Neither of which anyone could answer, although probably in the case of both, the answer is 'longer than you might think'.

The trio were given encouragement and thanks from the neighbours, as well as the offer of fresh espresso, which although declined, prompted a further question - how much quicker would the task get done if we were fueled by caffeine?

A scientific experiment for another day, perhaps.