Let us share with you the best seed suppliers in Britain (but shhh don’t tell everyone):

*No.1 “Real Seeds” supply unique heritage varieties, by buying from these guys you are literally keeping Europe’s ecological food heritage alive, plus the taste is extra special - http://www.realseeds.co.uk/

*No.2 “The Organic Gardening Catalogue” championed by Capital Growth, and all profits go towards Garden Organic, a charity that specialises in producing plenty of high yielding organic varieties- https://www.organiccatalogue.com

*No.3 “Tamar Organics” started as a small organic market garden in 1994 providing a scrumptious array of seeds to choose from, and since their seeds come in big packets, they’re perfect for sharing and community groups - http://www.tamarorganics.co.uk

June 15^th, 10am – 12noon, Meanwhile Gardens W10 5BN

£10 / £5 concessions (inc. Farm the City volunteers) 

Guided from start to finish by head grower at Meanwhile Gardens, all materials are provided to create containers ready to take home and watch grow. Learn how to prepare the soil and care for runner beans, french beans and berlotti beans from seed. You will learn how to maximise your harvest, and if you look after your beans you could easily make your money back this summer.

Your bean garden is best kept in a sheltered spot outdoors (perfect for a balcony or yard) as the beans can get quite high – canes will be provided. Approximate size of box – 50cm x 30cm.

Book your place by emailing farmthecitylondon@gmail.com. Spaces are limited.

4 week course held every other Saturday morning at Meanwhile Gardens W10 5BN

Saturdays May 11, May 25, June 8 & June 22 from 10.30am to 12noon

£25 / £15 concessions (inc. Farm the City volunteers)

A great place to start growing your own – learn to sow, propagate and ‘plant out’ a combination of leafy and woody herbs. Guided from start to finish by expert grower James, head grower at Meanwhile Gardens, you will create your own portable herb garden using local compost, organic seeds and recycled materials. At the end of the four week course (4 sessions over 7 weeks) you will have a herb garden to take home and look after – you might never need to buy herbs again! Fresh herbs taste better and are higher in nutrition too. You’ll need to allow 3 months for the plants to fully mature and be ready for harvest, but once established you can harvest many times.

Learn to grow:

Rosemary Coriander Thyme Basil Sage Parsley Lavender Oregano Marjoram Chives

At the end of the course, you will take home a box with your choice of leafy and woody herbs, you will know how to sow different seeds, care for seedlings, transplant and maintain the plants. The herbs should be ready for harvesting after 3 months (some sooner, some later) and should continue to grow and be used for at least 3 years. The kitchen garden is best kept indoors on a light, warm windowsill or table (not scorching, but bright). Size of garden will be 50 x 30 x 40cm approx.

Book your place now by emailing farmthecitylondon@gmail.com. Spaces are limited.

All materials and tuition are included in the price. We’ve kept the price low by sourcing recycled materials and promoting online. If you can help us by spreading the word about this workshop to people you think might be interested, that would be a great help in making the project sustainable. 

We are very pleased to be returning to the beautiful Meanwhile Gardens (W10 5NT) for a harvest time festival – bringing music (courtesy of the Strummer Foundation), food, dance and farming together for the last day of summer – 21 September 2013 – put the date in your diary now!

We need your help, without good, kind folk the festival just wouldn’t happen – let us know how you’d like to help:

+ PROMOTING ON AUG 17&18, AUG 24&25, SEPT 7&8 SEPT 14&15

+ RUNNERS, STAGE HAND, DECORATORS – SEPT 21 10AM – 7.30PM

On festival day, we’d like to unite, celebrate and promote London’s growers with an All London Farmers’ Market so we’re inviting London growers interested in a stall to get in touch. Westbourne Park is only 15 minutes West of King’s Cross on the circle line, why not meet with fellow growers from across the city and sell some produce while we’re at it. Email Ros on farmthecitylondon@gmail.com

We’ve won £500 from the Capital Clean-Up fund to create a community food garden! Meet opposite the Earl on the corner of Southam Street and Golborne Road W10 5PN

* APRIL 27, 11 – 1PM – FOR TEA, BISCUITS AND SEED SOWING *

* MAY 18, 19 & 20, 11AM – 5PM – SAWING, HAMMERING, DIGGING, SOIL SIFTING, PLANTING, WATERING, DECORATING, PHOTOGRAPHING – ALL WELCOME! *

Volunteers needed to maintain the garden each week – please email farmthecitylondon@gmail.com if you cannot come to the events above but would like to volunteer another time over the summer.

We  look forward to meeting you! Come rain or shine we will be there planting seeds and eating cake