Free Food-Growing Workshops in Easton — Grow Cook Share: Three free, beginner-friendly food-growing workshops for adults living in Easton, Barton Hill and Lawrence Hill. Learn practical skills, spend time outdoors and meet local people. Food is included, and you can attend one workshop or several.

Dates and times

* Tuesday 8 September, 10am–1pm
* Tuesday 15 September, 10am–1pm
* Tuesday 22 September, 10am–1pm

Location

The Haven Community Garden, Easton, Bristol

Full directions and joining information will be sent when your place is confirmed.

About Grow Cook Share

Grow Cook Share is a free community programme bringing local people together through food growing, affordable cooking and storytelling.

What happens during the Grow workshops?

These relaxed, practical sessions are designed for complete beginners. You do not need a garden or any previous growing experience.

Across the three workshops, participants will explore:

* How to prepare soil and growing spaces.
* What can be planted during autumn and winter.
* Hardy, seasonal and climate-aware food growing.
* Perennial plants and pollinator-friendly flowers.
* Planting, watering, mulching and caring for plants.
* How healthy soil and biodiversity support food growing.
* Simple growing ideas that can be used at home or in community spaces.
* How local food growing can strengthen communities and help us adapt to a changing climate.

Each workshop will include practical activities, time to ask questions, breaks, refreshments and opportunities to meet other local people.

The exact activities may change depending on the weather, the garden and what is ready to plant.

Planned focus for each workshop

Tuesday 8 September — Getting started

Explore The Haven Community Garden and learn the foundations of seasonal food growing.

The session will introduce soil, planting and the needs of different plants. Participants will begin planting a mixture of hardy food crops, perennial plants and flowers that support pollinators.

Tuesday 15 September — Growing through autumn and winter

Learn which plants can survive and produce food during colder months.

The session will explore seasonal planting, caring for young plants, conserving water, improving soil and protecting crops as the weather changes.

 Tuesday 22 September — Caring for the garden and continuing to grow

Build confidence in looking after plants over time.

Participants will learn about mulching, compost, ongoing plant care and how growing spaces can support wildlife, food and community resilience. We will reflect on what we have learned and discuss ways to continue growing locally.

Do I have to attend all three?

No. You can attend one workshop or several.

You are warmly encouraged to join all three if you can, as the skills and activities will build across the programme.

There are only **12 places at each workshop**.

Who is this for?

The programme is for adults aged 18+ living in:

* Easton
* Barton Hill
* Lawrence Hill

We particularly welcome people who do not usually feel included in food, nature or creative activities, including:

* People on low incomes.
* Refugees and migrants.
* Global Majority communities.
* LGBT+ people.
* Disabled or neurodivergent people.
* People who are completely new to food growing.

You do not need to identify with a particular label to express your interest.

MaFia Weekend CIC is an LGBT+ led, community-based organisation. Queer and trans participants are warmly welcome.

Cost and what is included

Everything is free, including:

* All workshop activities.
* Food and refreshments.
* Growing materials used during the sessions.
* Tea and coffee.

Please tell us about any dietary requirements or allergies when expressing your interest.

What should I wear?

The workshops take place outdoors. Please wear:

* Comfortable clothes that can get dirty.
* Sturdy, closed-toe shoes.
* Warm or waterproof layers suitable for the weather.

The programme will continue in light rain, but activities may be adapted if the weather is unsafe.

Participation and physical activity

Activities may include planting, bending, carrying light materials and working close to the ground.

You can participate at your own pace, take breaks and choose which activities you feel comfortable doing. Adaptable or seated activities will be offered where possible.

Please contact us before attending if you would like to discuss how we can support you.

Access information

The Haven Community Garden:

* Has uneven outdoor ground.
* Is not wheelchair accessible.
* Has basic compost toilets.
* Includes outdoor activities that may be physically demanding.

We want to be honest about these limitations. Please contact us to discuss access or anything else that would help you participate.

Travel support

Bus fares can be covered for participants living in BS5.

Some taxi journeys may also be covered where needed and agreed with us in advance.

Filming

A local women-led filmmaking team will create a short film celebrating the programme and the people involved.

Being filmed is completely optional. You can attend every workshop without appearing in the film, and your decision will not affect your place.

How to join

Complete the short expression-of-interest form:

Submitting the form does not automatically guarantee a place. We will contact you to confirm your workshop dates and send the full joining information.

You can also express your interest by texting:

**GROW + YOUR NAME + POSTCODE** to **07776 944323**

Need help applying? You can text or send us a voice note in your preferred language. We will do our best to support you.