Growing Together
Education is a core part of what we do. This year, we’ve welcomed even more volunteers to get hands-on experience in sustainable horticulture—from composting and soil management to harvesting and seasonal growing. It’s not just about vegetables—it’s about building skills, confidence, and community.
Our unique timber-built structure, The Arc, has become a central space for learning, gathering, and sharing ideas. It was constructed with the help of volunteers using locally sourced materials, making it a true reflection of our values: sustainability, collaboration, and resilience.
Through the challenges of the past year, the garden has remained a place of hope and connection. With the continued support of volunteers, local households, and partner organisations, we’re proud to see the Market Garden thriving—not just as a place to grow food, but as a place to grow together.
Revitalising the Market Garden
The Market Garden has been a part of the farm for decades, but it was a struggle to maintain it. In 2019, two keen growers saw an opportunity to utilise the infrastructure of the space: polytunnels, pathways, and a stunning greenhouse & potting shed complex. All the elements for success were in place, but they weren’t yet fully realised.
Luke, Ben, and a dedicated group of local people came together, bringing the skills and passion needed to restore and grow the market garden. Thanks to their hard work and determination, the garden is now thriving.
Since then, there’s been big developments: installing new polytunnels, creating 100+ beds, permanent paths, retaining walls, and automated irrigation systems. In 2020, we launched our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) harvest share scheme, and by 2025 we’re proud to be feeding more than 130 households every week.
Our commitment to sustainability includes a plastic- and pot-free plant nursery, using soil-blocking techniques to raise all of our plants. We also prioritise soil health as the cornerstone of our growing practices.
Our beautiful natural spaces and mission to provide fresh food to the community offer meaningful volunteer opportunities, allowing people to connect with the land and contribute to the needs of the local area in the beautiful Meanwood Valley.
The Arc
In the spring and summer of 2021, the Market Garden team, led by Joshua Lawson—a skilled timber framer and apprentice to Adrian Leaman of Wholewoods—constructed a unique, hand-crafted structure called ‘The Arc.’ This building now serves as the heart of the Market Garden, offering a multifunctional space for education, social gatherings, shared meals, crop processing, and protection from the elements.
True to the ethos of the Market Garden and Meanwood Valley Urban Farm, The Arc was built with low-impact, sustainable solutions in mind. Made primarily from locally sourced round wood timber, it has a distinct, natural aesthetic that highlights the beauty and functionality of local materials.
The ongoing development of The Arc also presents a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to get involved in the building process and witness the transformation firsthand. Volunteers were an integral part of the construction phase, making it a shared, community-driven project from start to finish.
