Four GoodGymers helped out again on Stoke Newington common with the local volunteer group, spending the first half of the session removing persistent bindweed from the soil surface before continuing the mulching process with some saplings along the edge of the path. Another successful session preparing for winter!

It's been a couple of months since GoodGym were last at Stoke Newington Common. With the hot dry days of summer behind us, it is not longer necessary to water the young trees. However, this weekend marked the start of mulching season at the Common and three goodgymers were on hand to help the regular Stoke Newington Common Users Group volunteers. It was great to have Kene joining us for his first ever GoodGym session. And lovely to have Rob back in the borough after some time away south of the river.

The task was to ready the trees for winter, by distributing protective and nutritious mulch around the base of the trees. This retains soil moisture, insulates root, suppresses weeds and improves the nutritional value of the soil, as the mulch decomposes.

Having collected tools from nearby Abney Park Cemetery, the group made their way to the mulch pile to load up the wheelbarrows and distribute the mulch around the trees, making sure to clear the ground first of debris and weeds. After a good hour or so, all the trees were protected and the group returned tools, just before the rain started. A good effort all round.

Next time (Saturday 1st November) - we'll be mulching the younger trees and shrubs.