Projects

Raised beds in community garden
Image credit: Kate Swindells

Community Garden

Berners Drive, St Albans

Grow Community – Sopwell manages a small community garden on an open bit of Council land. #growtogether

Read more on the Garden here…

Wildflower meadow

Martyr Close, St Albans

We are planting a wildflower meadow with some top-rated bug hotels, with the aim to be a haven for wildlife, a peaceful place to visit and an amazing educational resource.

Read more on the Wildlife Meadow here…

Girl sowing wildflower seeds
People gardening in planter
Image credit: Kate Swindells

Planters

Abbots Avenue, St Albans

Grow Community – Sopwell did a makeover on the Abbots Avenue shop parade planter and now have regular litter picking, watering and planting sessions.

Read more on the Planters here…

Kate by the seedling stall
Image credit: Kate Swindells

Seedlings Stall

Have a grow!

Pick up seeds/ seedlings from the Grow stall outside 71 Leyland Avenue during the Spring and Summer months, or bring along your home-grown seedlings. Edibles and wildlife-friendly plants only please!

Donations welcomed but not essential.

Seedlings
Image credit: Jo Cooney

Grow and Give

Sharing produce

Excess fresh fruit and veg from the Community Garden, local allotments and residents’ gardens is delivered to Sopwell Food Bank. Drop your produce at the stall at 71 Leyland Avenue from Saturdays to Tuesdays. #growandgive

Children holding seed potatoes
Image credit: Kate Swindells

#Spudfest

With local primary schools

Celebrating the humble potato with the spring ‘Spudfest’ initiative, started in 2021. Each participating child gets a first-early seed potato – donated by Aylett Nurseries – and a ‘how to grow’ leaflet (the RHS also has information and advice), with the aim of encouraging more people to grow their own food.

Read the Herts Ad write up from 2022.

Children gardening
Image credit: Kate Swindells

Sessions with Local Groups

Growing together

We love to run growing sessions with local groups e.g. Spring sowing sessions with Salaam Women’s Cafe at St Julian’s community cafe. Is your Sopwell group interested? Contact us here.

Man in compost bin
Image credit: Sallyann Chapman

#Sustfest23 Open Days

Come, celebrate!

SustFest23 Open Day June 11th: Berners Drive Community Garden: 10.30am – 12.30pm. Join us for our annual #SustFest event. Seeds & seedlings swaps, planting, activities for children, cake and more. Celebrate local food growing with us! See all upcoming Sustainability Festival events

Residents by planter with welcome sign
Image credit: Kate Swindells

Grow and Eat Streets

Grow together, eat together

Get together with neighbours and become a #GrowAndEatStreet. Each household grows one thing and then the neighbourhood brings their produce together to made a dish. #growcommunity

Home made wreaths

Events such as…Winter Wreath Making

Low waste festive fun

A foliage collection walk followed by a social wreath making. Become a member to get early bird bookings. See current events here.

Image credit: Kate Swindells


Want to find out more?