Urban Growing
By Bristol Food Network
Were you at the Get Growing Trail? Bristol Food Network (BFN) would like to hear from visitors to the trail. Take our quick survey and enter a prize draw for a chance to to win a £50 voucher to The Community Farm online shop. Read on to find out how to volunteer with many of the growing groups throughout the year.
What a weekend! On 15-16 June Bristol was abuzz with the excitement of the Get Growing Trail, an initiative led by Bristol Food Network to celebrate and explore the city’s community gardens, orchards, and urban farms.
The event drew enthusiastic crowds eager to delve into the world of urban growing. With free entry to numerous green spaces across the city, hands-on workshops, and an array of activities, it was a weekend that highlighted the incredible impact of community-driven gardening.
From the picturesque Horfield Organic Community Orchard to the bustling Bramble Farm, visitors had the opportunity to plot their own routes using the Get Growing Trail map. Each location offered unique experiences, showcasing the diversity of urban agriculture in Bristol.
The accessibility features of numerous sites (special mention to Alive’s dementia-friendly allotment) ensured that there were festivities open to all.
Visitors were treated to six free workshops over the weekend of the trail (and two the weekend before).
At Buzz Community Garden visitors were invited to participate in a delightful workshop on creating rustic hanging baskets. Guided by local experts, participants crafted beautiful baskets while learning about the importance of sustainable gardening practices.
At Garden Folk CIC (Purple Patch), visitors were able to learn breeding basics with Grower Dan Fox from Two Acre Farm, in particular learning to breed your own unique tomato varieties with Purple Patch’s heritage tomato plants.
Sunday’s workshop at Bridge Farm was all about seeds and trees. The morning session focused on the intricacies of seed sowing, while the afternoon was dedicated to exploring the farm’s impressive collection of locally grown nut trees. These activities highlighted the farm’s commitment to organic practices and community involvement.
Meanwhile, at Horfield Organic Community Orchard visitors were treated to hands-on taster sessions introducing the basics of assessing, planning and pruning fruit trees.
And at Filwood is Growing visitors learnt about seed anatomy, sowing summer veggies and got the chance to build their own bug hotels.
The Get Growing Trail was more than just a series of events; it was a celebration of the community spirit that drives Bristol’s urban growing projects. Volunteers and participants from all walks of life came together, sharing knowledge, stories, and a passion for sustainable living. The trail underscored the health and social benefits of community gardening, from improving mental well-being to fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.
If you didn’t get the chance to join last weekend, there are plenty of opportunities for volunteering at Bristol’s community growing spaces. Many sites offer weekly or monthly sessions – some of the sessions are listed below or keep an eye on the Bristol Good Food website – new sessions are added all the time.
Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, there’s sure to be a place for you in Bristol’s vibrant community of urban growers.
Mondays & Tuesdays 1–4pm.
Mondays, Wednesdays & Saturdays 10am–2pm
Wednesdays & Saturdays 10am-12pm
Mon, 5pm-6pm
Wednesdays 10am–4pm
Volunteering ongoing – see website or social media
Every third Saturday 10am–1pm
Tuesdays 1–3.30pm
1st Saturday of month May–October, 9.30–11am
Wednesdays & Thursdays, 1–4pm
Thursdays 1–4pm
If you run a community group and would like to be listed, submit your regular sessions on the Bristol Good Food 2030 website.
If you attended the Get Growing Trail, we want to hear from you! Take our quick survey and enter our prize draw for a chance to win a £50 voucher to The Community Farm online shop. Your feedback will help us improve future events and continue to support Bristol’s growing community.
We’re looking forward to hosting a peer-to-peer workshops later in the year for the community growing groups to learn from each other’s experiences. We will be in touch with all the growing groups to organise this.
So, what change do you want to see happen that will transform food in Bristol by 2030? Do you already have an idea for how Bristol can make this happen? Join the conversation now.
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