About Marston Community Growing

Marston Community Growing is a volunteer-led community gardening group in Marston, Oxford, started in 2018. We bring local people together to grow food, care for trees and habitat, and look after green spaces — through friendly, practical sessions anyone can join.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced grower, you’re welcome. You can come for an hour, an afternoon, or more regularly.

A simple line drawing of a potted plant with three leaves on a black background.
Group of five people gardening outdoors on a cloudy autumn day, with trees displaying fall foliage in the background. They are standing near a wheelbarrow, holding gardening tools and plants, dressed in jackets and hats.

Who we’re for

We’re open to individuals, families and neighbours of all ages. You don’t need any experience — we’ll show you what to do, and there’s always a mix of jobs to suit different interests and energy levels.

Ways to get involved include:

  • A person in an orange jacket and gray pants stands in a garden, pushing a wheelbarrow filled with dark soil, surrounded by gardening tools and supplies.

    Just showing up

    Turning up to a session to help with growing, planting or maintenance

  • People planting young trees in a garden during rainy weather.

    Supporting

    Supporting a specific area of work (trees, woodland care, hedge-laying, seed saving)

  • Two women gardening outdoors in an allotment with plants and a metal fence. They are wearing gloves and working on a raised garden bed filled with soil.

    Taking on a plot

    Taking on a plot or contributing to a shared growing area

  • Four people sitting and standing around a small fire pit, engaged in outdoor craft activities, with colorful paints, brushes, and craft paper, under a large tree in a garden setting.

    Dropping by for a chat

    Even sharing a cuppa helps build the group

A man with brown hair and a beard planting a young tree in the ground, smiling and wearing a black jacket and gloves, in a park with green grass and other trees and people in the background.

What we do

Our volunteers get involved in a mix of growing and nature-friendly activities across Marston and nearby areas, including parks, allotments, orchards, woodlands, schools, roadsides and other public green spaces.

Black and white illustration of a screwdriver with a Phillips head.

Our work includes

  • Fresh vegetables including tomatoes, cucumbers, beetroot, carrots, and green beans in a shopping cart.

    Community food growing

    Growing fruit, vegetables and herbs, and sharing the harvest wherever we can.

  • Four people gardening around a small tree labeled 'QUINCE' in a lush area with various plants and greenery. They are smiling and appear to be planting or caring for the tree.

    Tree planting and biodiversity work

    Including ongoing care for trees, hedges and habitat

  • Three women are preparing food outdoors at a table. They are surrounded by trees and sunlight. One woman is smiling, another is focused on cooking, and the third woman is looking down at the table.

    Workshops, gatherings and volunteering days

    With local partners

  • A person's hand holding soil over an open book with a sign that says 'Beans' and drawings of rain. Another person's hand is writing with a marker nearby, surrounded by planting materials.

    Sharing resources

    Tools, seeds, knowledge and friendly support

  • Group of people planting trees on a grassy field on a cloudy day. Some are bending down, others are standing and talking, and children are also present. The background shows sports fields and a green fence.

    Taking positive local action

    For nature and community

For groups, supporters and partners

Schools, community groups and businesses are welcome too — and not everyone needs to be hands-on with a spade.

  • Want to arrange a group volunteering day or visit? Get in touch and we’ll help you find the right fit.

  • Prefer to support behind the scenes (organising, fundraising, photography, social media, admin or accounts)? We’d love to hear from you.

  • Interested in working with us to care for local green spaces or run events?

    Contact us to discuss your idea.

Contact us
Donate
Group of people smiling outdoors during a gardening event, some holding tools, plants, and gloves, with greenery and trees in the background.

Our values

Our work is guided by practical, nature-friendly principles

Working with nature and the seasons, using permaculture ethics where this fits our sites (Earth care, People care, Fair share)

No-dig and organic approaches where possible

Diversity matters — in our community and in the habitats we help care for

Local action, shared hope — building skills and confidence for a healthier future

Everyone’s welcome and supported

We also make time for the social side: shared food, seasonal celebrations and simple moments of connection outdoors.

Black and white illustration of a bowl with a wide rim, some stripes on the exterior, and a flat base.

Our story

In 2018, two local groups formed — Marston Community Gardening and Marston Forest Garden. Over time we merged and now work as one collective with a shared focus on growing, biodiversity and community.

Working with local partners

We collaborate with local organisations to run volunteering experiences and events, and to care for shared green spaces. We’re also part of Oxfordshire’s network of Community Action Groups (CAGs), connecting with other local groups taking practical action on climate and nature.

Our Partners

Get involved
Events
Group of seven people harvesting grapes in a vineyard under a wooden trellis, in bright sunlight.