Two GoodGymers GoodGymmed in an afternoon mission south of the river in Bristol. Mel, fresh off the road from some Welsh Parkrunning this morning, met Fi, slightly less fresh from an earlier GoodGym task in a maze of soft(ish) mud, before heading towards the lovely home of Ms J.

The uncharacteristically damp Bristolian summer had given the weedier residents a growth spurt, so a delicate carpet of green was working it's way across the gravel in this small but perfectly formed garden. Ms J has some back problems that prevent her from carrying out some of the weeding tasks that help keep the garden looking ship shape. Of course, this is one of the things that GoodGymmers do best, so Mel and Fi set to work clearing the less welcome plant specimens on Ms J’s behalf.

Mel’s impressive knowledge of all things plant-y meant that the latest episode of “Is this a weed?” likely resulted in very few actual plants being consigned to the Green Paper Bag of Doom, much to the relief of Fi who is not keen on chucking out a good plant if it can be avoided.

Buttercups (not as innocent as they sound) got binned, leaves got.. left (.. in the bin!) and Clematis got cleared upwards to be re-trained along the garden wall. A few yet-to-flower Foxgloves were freed from weedy possession, and some little Sarcococca saplings were spared (… for now... ).

After a few methodical, meticulous and ultimately meditative (weed-ing is calm-ing!) hours in the garden, the carpet of green was gone and Ms J was able to enjoy a wander around with far fewer weeds underfoot.