Tonight me & my eyebrows met the gang at Heart & had a run down to Meanwood Valley Farm.

We had a big hoe down, weeding the polytunnels and the outside beds. Freddie used a very cool contraption which is called a weed snatcher! We also laid some compost & had a general tidy up.

The run back was quite dark...I think head torches are now needed sadly!

Well done to Shannen on her 50th good deed tonight :) You're a superstar!

A big welcome to Analise & Angela, we hope to see you again soon. It was also nice to see Emily again after a long break.

Tonight we named 3 pigs...Laura, Helen & Jason, the girl pig with an identity crisis. They're the new resident pigs at Meanwood Valley Farm & we hoped naming them may prolong their lives.. here's hoping!

We had a good run and then had 3 jobs, weeding the beds for winter vegetables, turning compost (we now have professional status with this task) & bringing woodchip down to cover new compost.

Fun & games were had involving wheelbarrows & Jubz...I say no more...

Thanks for a great evening all!

Last night, we ran up to Meanwood Valley Farm on a soggy evening and split into 3 groups. Rachel, Helen, Chloe and I were turning the rather smelly compost, this was a good workout but needless to say, we all headed home for baths afterwards. Christian and Jason who both did their 50th missions (well done guys) worked on some string beans & the rest did some dibbing, to get the ground ready for leeks. We loved it up at the farm and can't wait to head back! We finished off by posing as leeks and various beans for pictures :)

Great work all!

Welcome to Marcia and Lauren on their first sessions.

Last night we headed down to Meanwood Valley Farm for the first time in years. We had two teams at work tonight: Team 1, Lydia, Katie & Kawan clearing the garden & Christian & Lydia wheeling the vegetation to the the compost heap. Then there was Team Number 2, Kat, Katie, Jubz & Jason who were moving compost from one bin to the next. Not a hugely popular job as the compost was full of number twos from the farm animals! A smelly job indeed, but Jubz still managed a smile. Well done guys! At least you got to say hello to a friendly goat :)

THIS week we returned to Meanwood Valley Urban Farm to plant some grapevines.

We welcomed Caroline and Megan on their first goodgym task, and had a walking group this week led by Katie.

The walkers set off, taking a more direct route to the farm. After a warm-up everyone else then set off on a longer route - which was a total of 3km and included lots of hills.

The task involved using spades to loosen the compost, shovels to load the barrows, and strength to transport the compost. We managed to fill 2 of the holes positioned adjacent to polytunnels. We had to fill the holes with lots of compost to make sure the grape vines could grow in the right direction (through the polytunnel).

We then joined a ceremonious planting of the grape, a variety known as the phoenix. We learned that it is a very reliable grape and it will live for up to 200 years!

Well done everyone see you next week :)

On today's run we had a first time attendee to goodgym! Make sure to give Paul a cheer. We also had Sarah join us, who has now taken part in two areas, having previously run with Goodgym Lewisham.

The Run We ran through Meanwood Valley Trail and went the long way to the farm , about 3km, taking the ascent in our stride as we climbed Sugarwell Hill.

Once we'd arrived at the farm we were pleased to see the Alpacas, who were all huddled together near the entrance to the farm. A great way to end a run!

The Task

Tonight we were given a lesson on how to mulch apple trees, which turns out to be rather scientific!

Wood chip is used to help prevent weeds from sprouting, to help the trees retain moisture and help to fight off pests and disease. Ben at Meanwood Valley Urban Farm is the real expert, so you're best to come and ask him all about it the next time we go back to the farm. In the meantime, you can find out more here

We split into groups. Katie and Paul were stationed in the orchard and laid down the wood chip around the trees, whilst the rest of us took it in turns to fill barrows and transport the wood chip to the orchard.

Credit due to Katie and Paul, as Ben was complementary of the arrangement around the trees:

That looks very artistic!

By the end of the task, we had relocated at least 30 barrows full of wood chip, which was now protecting 6 more apple trees. Good work everyone!

Parting gifts

As a thank you for our efforts we were given bags to pick our own lettuce, which we all took home to enjoy.