Three of us came together for the final planting and celebration at the new Hollickwood Community Orchard, which we helped get started in January. Subham met me in North Finchley and we ran with the gorgeous weather through Coppetts Wood to Friern Bridge Open Space, then across the A406 into Hollickwood.

There we were met by lovely staff from Earthwatch Europe and The Orchard Project, as well as some brilliant volunteers from nearby, a few from January and one or two new. We got stuck in with ferrying mulch and water for the last fruit tree (a Diospyros Kaki, a type of persimmon). Then we helped expand the 'edible island' bed to accommodate some well-weathered herbs.

Once everything was in the ground and mulched, we ran back and forth with buckets and watering cans to make sure everything had a good drink. Paul arrived just in time to help with some heavy lifting. And then it was our turn for refreshments, with some excellent vegan catering, out on the Freehold Centre patio.

We'll no doubt be back later in the year to check on things and help the Centre out with some other tasks, but for now we can congratulate ourselves on some good work, great exercise and even better weather!

The start of February is a significant time of the year in two calendars. Jewish tradition celebrates Tu B'Shevat, the New Year for Trees, from sundown. And in Celtic traditions, Imbolc takes place at the same time, celebrating the first signs of spring.

So what better time to gather for another fantastic planting session with The Orchard Project and Earthwatch Europe? This time we met in Stoneyfields Park, a lovely green space in Edgware, with a beautiful waterfall and lots of mature trees along the banks of the Deans Brook.

In a muddy corner of the park, our hosts had set up a marquee and brought the usual wintry fare: mulled apple juice and cider, shovels, fruit trees and bushes, mulch... As with our earlier orchard planting session with them at Hollickwood Park, we were there to provide an extra bit of physical oomph for the other volunteers - of which there were over 20!

Many hands made light work of the ten trees going in the ground: 4 apples, 2 pears, a plum, a mulberry, a sweet chestnut and a crab apple. There were around half a dozen berry bushes too. After an informative explanation of the process by orchard expert Daniella, we set to the task.

A great tip: if you plant your trees in a circular hole, then the roots will curve around in a spiral and not spread out properly. But if you plant in a square hole, they spread out faster and the tree will root stronger!

Despite rain, mud, and only one boshing device (a 'rammer') for getting the stakes in, everyone worked together brilliantly and we were done in a couple of hours. Then, after a bit of a snack and some apple-based beverages, we cleared down, admire our work and celebrated the start of spring.