There is something so rewarding about picking fresh fruits and vegetables and then creating a meal out of them. This route will help you do just that. Visit three of Birmingham’s favourite community gardens that offer a Pick-Your-Own (PYO) service, as well as volunteer opportunities where you can learn to grow your own fruits and veggies. Of course, there is no need to visit all these gardens. However, we have tried to make the route as scenic and calm as possible, in case you do.
Here are some tips before you go:
1. Take your own containers; they may save you money and are more eco-friendly.
2. As you must pay for all the fruit and vegetables you’ve picked, it’s best to watch your children’s little fingers; they may pick more than your budget.
3. Wear sensible shoes, especially if it looks like rain.
4. Sampling is usually permitted, but don’t abuse this!
5. Don’t bring a picnic set up or dogs into the picking area.
6. Phone ahead to find out what fruits and vegetables are ready and available for picking.
Here are the best times to pick some popular fruits and veggies:
May: Rhubarb,
June: Strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries
July: Blueberries, blackcurrants, courgettes, marrows.
August: Plums, damsons, sweetcorn
September: Damsons, runner beans, sweetcorn
October: Pumpkins, squash
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Route overview
Martineau Gardens is a charity garden on two and a half acres of well-loved and maintained ground. Not only can you pick your own fruits and veggies, but you can see some wildlife along their nature trails, visit their pottery studio, or sit at their lovely little cafe. One of their wonderful activities is Therapeutic Horticulture, where volunteers can learn, socialise, and relax. Their visiting hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 am-4 pm.
Martineau Gardens. Credit: Martineau Gardens website
From the gardens, exit along Priory Road, then turn left along Pershore Road. Continue along this road, which becomes Sherlock Street after the roundabout, for about 1.3km.
Part 1 of the Birmingham Pick-Your-Own Community Gardens Walk
Turn left onto Hurst Street, then right onto Ladywell Walk.
Part 2 of the Birmingham Pick-Your-Own Community Gardens Walk
Continue slightly left onto Upper Dean Street. You will pass the entrance to The Arcadian on your right. At the end of Upper Dean Street, turn left onto Moat Lane, following its curve to the right past St. Martin’s Square. Continue past the Bullring car park building on your left on Park Street. After about 230 metres, turn right into Shaw’s Passage to find the Digbeth Community Garden on your left.
Part 3 of the Birmingham Pick-Your-Own Community Gardens Walk
Digbeth Community Garden is open on the first and third Saturday of every month from 12-2. The first Saturday focuses on composting, and the third is on food growing. After the food growing session, you can join them for some guerilla gardening around Digbeth. Stay up to date with their calendar of events here.
Digbeth Community Garden. Credit: Friends of the Earth
Retrace your steps down Park Street to the Bullring car park building, this time turning right along Spiceal Street around St. Martin’s Square on your left. Walk up the stairs on your right to reach St. Martin’s Walk. Turn left to continue for about 100 metres and go through the glass building’s doors. Take the escalator to the first floor, walk for about 77 metres to Smallbrook Queensway and turn left.
Part 4 of the Birmingham Pick-Your-Own Community Gardens Walk
Cross the road when and where it is safe to do so to stay on the right-hand side of Smallbrook Queensway to reach the roundabout intersection. Pass the Beetham Tower (big glass building) on your right to cross the road onto the pedestrian walkway to get to the other side. Turn left at Suffolk Street Queensway, passing the roundabout, which is now on your left. Turn right onto Holloway Head, which becomes Bath Row for about 750 metres.
Part 5 of the Birmingham Pick-Your-Own Community Gardens Walk
At the end of Bath Row, turn right down the ramp towards the canal, then turn left to have the canal run along your left-hand side.
Part 6 of the Birmingham Pick-Your-Own Community Gardens Walk
Continue for almost 2km to go up the ramp and right onto Somerset Road. At the T-junction, turn right onto the pedestrian walkway. Turn left to stay on the pathway before it ends by a block of buildings ahead. Continue past these buildings on your left (The School of Metallurgy and Materials). Cross over Prichatt’s Road to find Grow with Joe on your right.
Part 7 of the Birmingham Pick-Your-Own Community Gardens Walk
Birmingham University Conservation Volunteers at Grow with Joe is a student society focused on conservation efforts in Birmingham, working every Sunday and some Saturdays. Some of their activities include coppicing, brash clearance, tree-planting, litter-picking, hedge-laying, and gardening. See their Facebook Group for updates on events.
Grow with Joe Garden. Credit: Guild of Students
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Other PYO Gardens not on this route but not too far away:
Resources:
If you enjoyed this route, see our Fresh Birmingham Parks Walk.
Remember to download our app here.