Grow
Hull is brimming with formal and informal groups who are interested in growing their own food. Many of these are run by community organisations and are looking for volunteers to help out, you can find out more about them by clicking on the map here.
For more information relating to growing in Hull, please contact anna@rootedinhull.org.uk
Local Growing Groups and Resources
Hull Food Partnership works with many of these organisations and they are listed within the Growers Handbook (link) for Hull, this is produced with the support of the Growers’ Network and is updated annually with lots of useful information about the best kind of crops to grow in the Hull area, what tools to use and other resources that you may find beneficial.
After that your first port of call should probably be the Hull and East Yorkshire Growers’ Network this group usually meets monthly to discuss what issues are affecting people wanting to grow in Hull and often plan events and get-togethers.
Transition and Permaculture Hull are trying to ‘live more lightly’ on the earth. They are interested in ‘growing your own’ and developing community spaces for growing where opportunities arise. They use permaculture principle as a tool for using natural systems and conserving resources. They also support Constable Community Allotment, and as the name suggests, they are members of the Transition Network and the Permaculture Association.
BAMEEN is a community interest company which stands for Black & Minority Ethnic Environment Network. The ever-changing demographics of Hull and its surroundings means we have to do more to involve all in environmental actions. Many people they have spoken to in Hull have acknowledged that Black & Minority ethnic (BAME) communities’ involvement in environmental issues is vital and it should be encouraged and supported.
EMS (Environmental & Management Solutions Ltd) is an award-winning charity working across Hull to alleviate food and fuel poverty. They have taken unused land and given it purpose by turning it into community allotment plots and edible gardens.T he community allotments (CA) are very much neighbourhood based. The aim is to sign up residents who live around the site so they can walk to the CA and grow in their neighbourhood. During the setting up process they work with plot holders, looking at their experience and pairing people up so they can help each other.
Down to Earth Hull Down to Earth Hull is a Community Interest Company that delivers activities and events which support local people to connect with growing, the broader natural environment, and each other. Down to Earth Hull’s ultimate aim is to improve people’s physical and mental health and well-being, and to give them new knowledge and skills.
Rainbow Community Garden In 1997, local residents began transforming a piece of waste land off Levisham Close, North Hull. This became the Rainbow Garden, officially opened in 1998. Since then, the garden has thrived. They have established trees, herbs, shrubs and each year grow vegetables and salad crops. As well as gardening, they offer activities for children during the school holidays, including arts and crafts, bug hunts and multicultural activities.
Pickering Road Community Orchard is one of Hull’s hidden gems. It has approximately 350 trees, which were planted in 2003 and 2004. The trees are mainly apple of numerous varieties, with some pears and also plums. There are also brambles and bee hives on the site. Next to the orchard there is a wildlife garden which is also maintained by the orchard volunteers.
No-Dig Community Allotment (NDCA) aims to create and maintain a thriving community resource for the benefit and enjoyment of all. It offers opportunities to learn about the Charles Dowding No Dig method and other land-based activities for people of all abilities, including people with learning disabilities, people with mental ill-health, disadvantaged families and local school children.
Hull Community Diggers is a relatively new group based off Beverley Road, aiming to renovate local greenspace for community use in local areas.
Gardens And Open Spaces Hull (GOSH) is a community-led, sustainable open-space management, grassroots campaign group aiming to help tackle food poverty and insecurity in Hull.
National Organisations and Resources
If you can’t find what you need locally, then there are a number of national networks and organisations that can help support you in developing your own community growing project, often with free downloadable resources, videos and webinars.
Good to Grow Network formerly known as the Big Dig) is an online platform to support food growing in the UK, run by Sustain. The Good to Grow Network is all about getting people involved in their local community garden. You can register your garden to the Good to Grow Network for free to promote your garden locally to volunteers and other organisations, use the online Harvest-ometer and all the other functions and take part in co-ordinated events such as Good to Grow Day.
Eden Project Communities believe that connected communities are more resilient against local and global issues and are better equipped to tackle challenges and bring about positive change. As part of the Eden Project, they explore how people can work with each other, and with nature, towards a better future. They have a number of free resources to download as well as free webinars and events run throughout the year.
Food for Life Get Togethers are regular community activities that connect people from all ages and backgrounds through growing, cooking and eating good food.
RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) aims to inspire a passion for gardening and growing plants, promote the value of gardens, demonstrate how gardening is good for us and explain the vital role that plants play. There are many free resources available to download from the website.
BBC Gardeners World offers a wealth of advice and information for growers at every stage of the growing process.
Seeds and Plants
If you are interested in growing from seed, why not think about saving your own seeds each year? Around the world, seed diversity is threatened, and yet it is critical for ensuring a secure and resilient food system that serves both people and planet. The Seed Sovereignty Programme aims to support the development of a biodiverse and ecologically sustainable seed system here in the UK and Ireland.
If you just need to get started, here is a list of UK retailers who have a variety of fruit and vegetable seeds and plants to get you growing:
Sow Seeds is a local company based just outside Hull, specialising in veg, herbs and green manures
Real Seeds do not sell F1 hybrids or genetically modified seeds, just varieties that do really well and taste great when grown on a garden scale. Because all are open-pollinated (non-hybrid), if you wish you can even save your own vegetable seed for future years, using the instructions they supply
Tamar Organics sell a range of organic seeds and also offer organic plant material and environmentally friendly gardening products
Seeds of Change stocks a wide range of organic seed selected with everyone from occasional gardeners to full timers in mind. Better known for their organic food range, Seeds of Change donate one per cent of their net sales to organic and sustainable farming initiatives across the globe
Jekka’s sells a large collection of herb plants and seeds alongside books on herbs and a selection of gardening tools
Edwin Tucker Ltd has been in the industry since 1831. Geared towards those who like to take their gardening seriously, they offer a wide range of root vegetables along with grasses and plants to attract beneficial insects
Stormy Hall Seeds – Biodynamic and organic veg, herb and flower seeds
Kings Seeds is a leading supplier of flower, organic vegetable, herb, soft fruit seeds and various plug plants since 1888
Landlife Wildflowers supply a huge range of UK native wildflower seeds, wildflower plants. and wildflower bulbs. Wildflower seed mixtures are ‘Perfect for Pollinators’, helping to support native bees and butterflies, ideal for use in gardens, meadows and urban areas.
Haxnicks have been designing sustainable garden care and plant protection products since 1994
Suttons has over 200 years of gardening experience and a reputation for delivering quality seeds, plants & equipment to guarantee you get the most from your garden