THE GROWING KITCHEN N1 Community Garden
Welcome to our community growing project on Wenlock Barn Estate
The Growing Kitchen is an ongoing project in Hackney, London N1, on a formerly disused site on the Wenlock Barn Estate and supported by the Wenlock Barn TMO. It is a shared garden, in which we grow organic fruit, vegetables and herbs ~ and cook them too. We are a community group, open to all, to visit or to participate in any way, large or small.
Growing Kitchen ~ long view
Community gardening for everyone
Come along and help tend our community gardening areas ~ the big vegetable patches, herb borders, fruit bushes, trees, and urban foraging garden. There are always little tasks to help with as we move through the growing year from sowing to harvesting. Everyone is welcome when there is a member in attendance - or for access any day of the year, apply for free membership (below).
Growing Kitchen ~ for all ages
Micro-allotments
If you want to tend an area all of your own, you can become a member and we'll allocate you a micro-allotment, when one becomes available. These are typically 1x2m spaces and we have 33 of them.
Micro-allotment
Community cooking
As we are The Growing Kitchen, we often cook in the garden with our gas-fired hotplates and our barbecue. We built our very own clay oven, where we can prepare freshly baked pizzas for year-round community events. We are a global community with global skills to offer and share. At our social events we cook and share the produce from the garden, and we swap our recipes and skills.
Redcurrant cake ~ see GK Recipes
Sit and chat or sit in silence
Every garden needs a chair, and we have lots of them. They're grouped in gathering areas for when you want a chat. And they're placed in quiet, hidden corners, for when you want to get away from noise and just be alone.
One of GK's gathering areas
Working with local schools
Get involved
This is everyone's Growing Kitchen, open every day of the year. Drop in to see what's growing, join in with what's happening, or just come in to sit and enjoy.
You're sure to find one of the organisers on any Sunday (between February-October) if you'd like to talk in person about involvement. Or get in touch, using the contact form below, or by email:
All enquiries ~ gkresidentgroup@gmail.com
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Become a member
Our Growing Kitchen members are each allocated a micro-allotment when one becomes available. Members can:
- join the micro-allotment waiting list
- have keys
- attend and vote at members meetings.
To apply for membership or for any other enquiry email: gkresidentgroup@gmail.com
Making it happen
Members meet twice a month, March to October, and share the responsibility of maintaining the site, organising social events, accessing funding and encouraging new members.
Funding the Growing Kitchen
Funding has allowed us to extend the site, create a shared foraging garden, more vegetable growing space, a wild flower area, an orchard, and seating. We rely on the generosity of our donors and sponsors to keep the Growing Kitchen alive and open to all.
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Become a sponsor
Our sponsors include individuals, organisations, local businesses and groups. To find out about sponsoring us, talk to one of our organisers in person, or email us at:
gkresidentgroup@btinternet.com
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Make a donation
One-off donations help us pay for the unexpected extras in the day to day running of the site. Your donation in its entirety will be ploughed into the Growing Kitchen, keeping it strong, active and healthy.