Fancy growing your own vegetables and enjoying some outdoor time with your family?
Ed Morrison, co-founder of Roots Allotments, talks to us about the fast-growing movement helping families enjoy time outdoors, learn new skills and grow their own food – and why a Roots membership voucher might be the perfect Christmas gift.
Roots Allotments began life in December 2021, but the idea had been germinating for much longer. Ed Morrison explains that he, along with friends Will and Christian, had struggled to secure growing space in London, despite being keen to recreate the positive experience he’d had growing no-dig with his family in East Devon during the Covid years.
Ed said, “Waiting lists were a common theme across the country and we wanted to do something about it. Roots was about breaking down barriers by providing people with a space, tools, seeds, plants and education, all while nurturing soil health through no-dig growing and staying pesticide-free.”
Today, Roots has 20 growing communities across the UK, including two sites in Bath, another in Bristol and a newly opened site in Gloucester. Each one offers a supportive, ready-to-go environment for people who want to grow food but lack the time, space or confidence to take on a traditional allotment.
Ed explained, “Council allotments are incredibly important social assets, and we always champion them, but Roots offers something different. Over 70% of our members have never grown before, so we’ve created a rounded service that’s accessible for beginners.”
All memberships include a prepared no-dig patch, seeds, plug plants, tools and support both online and in person. Families can also join workshops and events designed to inspire confidence and build skills. Wildlife areas add to the sense of calm on each site, while Roots works closely with charities, CICs and local schools to offer community workshops and additional growing opportunities.
For families, the appeal is clear. Ed said, “It’s a way of connecting that takes screens out of the equation. Everyone has something to do and you’re all working together in nature. A family trip to the bowling alley can be £50 or more, but for £19.99 a month you can be at your patch every weekend.”
Parents also love the way children build a connection to the food they eat. Watching a seed become a fully grown vegetable can be a huge confidence boost, and many families say it transforms the way they cook and eat together. For home-educating families, Roots has become a regular part of their learning week, with sub-groups forming on each site so children can meet and learn together.
Visits vary through the year. Most families pop in once a week during the summer, while winter schedules tend to stretch to every 10–14 days for harvesting and basic upkeep.
Support is central to the Roots model. Every member receives a welcome appointment with their Patch Manager, followed by help getting their first seeds in the ground. There are also regular children’s workshops featuring storytelling, nature crafts and bug-hotel making. Ed said, “We want to equip the next generation with the enthusiasm and skills to grow.”
Memberships range from a Mini 3x4m patch at £9.99 a month to a Group 9x12m patch at £49.99 a month, with quarterly and annual payment options also available.
And with Christmas around the corner, Roots’ gift vouchers are proving popular. Ed added, “You almost can’t put a price on the gift of growing. It’s beneficial for the body, mind and soul, and it’s something the whole family can enjoy together.”
Gift vouchers are available at rootsallotments.com/gift-vouchers.
