Seeds, Worms & Music!
This April and May, we’re joining forces with Hearth Bakery at Grow Studios to host a series of free and pay-what-you-can events, bringing people together around growing, sharing, more sustainable ways of living and live music.
Join us for a Seed Swap and Plant Swap Day (both drop-in), Build Your Own Wormery workshops at Hearth, and a Canalside Live: Sustainability Session at Grow - featuring music, food and conversation. Together, these events offer informal learning, samples and opportunities to connect within a welcoming, community-led space.
EVENTS
SAT 4 APRIL, 2–4PM
SEED SWAP
DROP IN, FREE
HEARTH BAKERY, GROW STUDIOS, E9 5LN
A relaxed, drop-in session! Bring along any spare seeds (veg, herbs or flowers) and swap with others in the community. No seeds? No problem - you’re still very welcome to come by, pick something up, and connect with fellow growers.
A great opportunity to discover new varieties, share knowledge, and be part of a growing local network. This swap takes place outside (undercover), so please dress accordingly.
TUE 21 & THU 23 APRIL, 6–7PM
BUILD YOUR OWN WORMERY
BOOK NOW - PAY WHAT YOU CAN
HEARTH BAKERY, GROW STUDIOS, E9 5LN
In celebration of Earth Day, join the team at Hearth for a hands-on workshop exploring how to turn your kitchen waste into nutrient-rich fertiliser using worms.
You’ll build your own micro-wormery to take home, complete with worms and simple care instructions to get you started.
Suitable for any space - from gardens to balconies — this session offers a practical introduction to composting, waste reduction and circular living.
Workshops are kept small to ensure a hands-on, supportive experience. Please only book if you’re able to attend. This workshop takes place outside (undercover), so please dress accordingly.
THU 23 APRIL, 7PM
Following the workshop on Thursday 23rd, participants will receive a voucher for free entry to live jazz at Grow (please note, the event is 18+) - so you can just pop across the yard and go from making a home for worms, to listening to some of London’s finest emerging jazz musicians!
SAT 25TH APRIL, 2–4PM
PLANT SWAP
DROP IN, FREE
HEARTH BAKERY, GROW STUDIOS, E9 5LN
A relaxed, drop-in session — bring plants, seedlings or cuttings to swap with others.
Whether you have something to share or are just getting started, come along to pick up something new, exchange tips, and meet other local growers.
An easy, welcoming way to grow your collection and connect with your community! This session takes place outside (undercover), so please dress accordingly
SUN 10 MAY, 1-4PM
CANALSIDE LIVE – SUSTAINABILITY SESSION
FREE ENTRY
GROW HACKNEY
A free afternoon of live music, food and conversation. Exploring sustainability, local food systems and climate-positive business.
Building on Grow’s established canalside live music programme, this special session brings together live music, informal discussions, supplier tastings, and contributions from local partners - including a community veg box scheme based at Grow.
We invite you to spend time by the canal, connect with others, and engage with practical ideas around sustainability, sample suppliers and enjoy live music from Williams Cumberbatch and special guests who’ll be announced soon!
WHY THIS MATTERS
This programme strengthens Hackney Wick as a hub for independent, community-led and climate-conscious activity. Grow Studios and Hearth Bakery are long-standing, locally rooted organisations that have helped shape the area’s identity —- creating welcoming spaces that support creativity, connection and responsible business.
Hearth Bakery, a much-loved neighbourhood fixture, plays a key role in this ecosystem. Together with Grow, it offers an accessible space for the community while championing low-waste practices, responsible sourcing and collaboration with local producers.
As rising rents continue to push out orginal independent businesses, opportunities for affordable, community-focused activity are shrinking. This programme responds by creating open, inclusive ways for people to gather, learn and take part.
It also shines a light on the wider network of independent businesses at Grow Studios — from food and drink traders to wellbeing practitioners, an independent bike shop and local suppliers — strengthening visibility and shared audiences.
Alongside this, the programme supports practical, climate-positive action, from composting and reducing food waste to promoting biodiversity and local food systems - making sustainability accessible, social and relevant.
This project is supported with funding from Hackney Council
