Greater Bigger Greener

Following on from Monday’s Big Green Group run mission, Naomi, Anita and new member Jack continued Richmond GG’s ‘The Great Big Green Week’ project with an evening of planting. Going greener and hopefully more wildlife friendly were the recently weeded areas beside three of the seven benches in Buccleuch Gardens, Richmond. Those who attended on Monday will know these benches as Doc, Dopey and Bashful. https://www.goodgym.org/reports/once-upon-a-time-in-great-big-green-week

Unfortunately It was not a straightforward task. Not only because of the heat and the rock hard ground but also because of the many steps involved: excavating compost from the bottom of the Arcade compost heap; digging in compost and manure-based soil improver; digging-out planting holes; planting; watering-in ; and finally tidying up.

Planted tonight were 2 Eunonyma Harlequin 4 compact hebe champagne ice 4 compact hebe Mrs Winder 42 bacopa plugs 2 x small fuchsia 4 x osteospurnum 2x petunia Harebell, Virginia stock and seeds.

Look out for Big Green Week watering missions on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th June to help get the new new planting established . There are also a pair of watering cans hidden at the side of the Arcade by the compost heap and solo, self-logged watering missions are hugely appreciated.

There was a fantastic turnout for GoodGym Richmond’s first group run of 2023, visiting Buccleuch Gardens, Richmond where GG Richmond maintain two plots on the Thames Path: The Arcade Rockery and The Three Pigeons Plot.

Walking and running groups set off from outside The Tap Tavern with a rendezvous in front of The Arcade. Expecting gardening, some were initially flummoxed by a request to create a human ‘2023’ but, with great ingenuity, human numerals were created to herald the New Year. To the relief of many, there wasn’t time to try and create a giant Rabbit to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Instead there was plenty of work to be done and plenty of GoodGymers keen to grab trugs, trowels, brooms, forks and brushes and attack an array of winter gardening tasks. At The Arcade small groups worked to turn over the compost heap, rake leaves off the lawn, weed the steps/paving/paths, and recycle all the green waste generated. And at the Three pigeons Plot a small group did a magnificent job clearing weeds from around the river steps as well as sweeping up the leaves around the plot itself.

Back at the Tap Tavern, hard work was rewarded with drinks at the bar for those who could stay for the January Social. A special mention goes to Jarryd who came to try out GoodGym for the first time, to JP who dropped in to say hello on his way home from work with jetlag, to Kate who came to see everyone in the pub for a catch up and to Lucy and Salwa who brought bakes to the pub for everyone!