ROOTS WEST CARDIFF
The Grand Opening Party · Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 OctoberSat 17 & Sun 18 Oct →
Welcome to the no dig revolution, Cardiff. Members of a Roots growing community in front of the tipi on opening day.

Your own ready built allotment,
just outside Cardiff

Built, filled and mulched before you arrive. Seeds, plants, compost, tools and water included, and no council waiting list.

Book a free tour →

£24.99 a month plus £39.99 to join, or pay for the year and the twelfth month is free

Fourteen days to change your mind. Cancel within 14 days of paying and we refund you in full.

As seen in

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  • House and Garden

How it works

Three steps, and the first one is the next thing on this page.

  1. 1

    Pick your exact allotment

    Open the plan below, tap into a block, choose the bed you want. Not a number somebody allocates you later. It is held while you are on the page, up to forty minutes.

  2. 2

    Choose how you pay

    Monthly, or pay for the year and get a month free. Five discounts apply when you join, including 25% for anybody working for the NHS.

  3. 3

    Turn up and grow

    Your bed is built, filled and mulched before you arrive. Tools, seeds, plants and compost are already on site. Bring a trowel if you like.

Choose your allotment

Not a number somebody allocates you afterwards. Every bed in the south field is on this plan, surveyed to the metre, and you pick the one you want: the corner by the hedge, the one nearest the water, the one next to your friend. The bright green ones are free. The faded ones have gone.

  • Free
  • Taken
  • In a checkout
  • Polytunnel
  • Water
See the painted plan Illustrated plan of St Nicholas Meadows

The same ground, drawn. Every block above is on it, in the same place.

Over five hundred public reviews

From people who rent a bed at a Roots site. Real, named, in their words.

I randomly come across this company and
I randomly come across this company and wow, AA. Genuine , and so helpful , so sorry forgot the lads name on the phone , but couldn’t help you anymore if he tried . Can’t wait go now 😁
Simon Dunn 2026-05-07
Absolutely love our time at Roots
Absolutely love our time at Roots! We've been here since July 2025, and have just acquired our 3rd plot! Everyone you meet is friendly a real community, nothing is ever too much trouble for Dave the Roots manager, he always...
Cheryl 2026-04-20
Sugarloaf allotments are blissful
Sugarloaf allotments are blissful - Dave - or Coxy will do anything to help and gives useful advice all of the time - love my little plot 🌱
P Heath 2026-04-18
Providence pastures leeds
Got my patch in Leeds in November but was made very welcome at the events of seed swap and painting bird houses. Looking forward to a full growing season and some vegetables swaps
Mark 2026-04-15
Garforth site is great
I use the Garforth allotment site in Leeds. Superb advice from Spud & Nadine the site managers… really good social and sharing atmosphere between the allotment users and growers… loads of free stuff from roots to get ya...
Jonny Stringer 2026-04-15
Had a patch in Croydon for 6 months now
Had a patch in Croydon for 6 months now and couldn’t be happier! They make it so easy for an allotment novice by providing all the tools/water and some seeds/plug plants. I know there are some complaints it’s more expensive...
Joey Pocket 2026-04-14
Everyone that I've dealt with is really
Everyone that I've dealt with is really friendly. There is nothing that is too difficult for staff when it comes to trying to help you out with problems or difficulties. What you get for the money you pay is brilliant and I...
Martin Dent 2026-04-14
Haven on a patch of land
I’m relatively new to Roots but so far my experience has been amazing. Theres everything there that you need from tools to seeds and plug plants. I’m at sugarloaf and there’s a real community feel to our group. Our patch...
Theresa Neal 2026-04-14
ROOTS
I joined Roots a couple of years ago and love the support that is shared by everyone, not just the staff but the other plot holders too. Spud and Nad are always there for all with their amazing advice and support. The...
Ann Varey 2026-04-14
Love the whole concept of Roots
Love the whole concept of Roots. Learning how to grow no dig, organic gardening in a community space. Great for experienced growers and beginners. Well worth it just for the seeds and tools they provide. Friendly helpful...
Sam Mason 2026-04-14
Newbottle Fields
Site at Newbottle Fields is coming along nicely. We are enjoying our first growing season and looking forward to some exciting harvests. Catherine is very helpful and knowledgeable, love the tool shed and all the equipment we...
Porcupine Jane 2026-04-13
Fantastic people!
Roots make is so easy for a beginner like myself to try their hand and keeping an allotment!
Jwmes 2026-04-13
The plot and sense of community is really special
We are entering our third year at Roots Allotments in Bath, and really enjoying it. The plot and the sense of community makes it really special. As new growers, we’ve learned so much thanks to our neighbours and the patch...
Molly Brown 2026-04-13
Just Great !
We joined Daffodil allotments in chester at the beginning of the year, completely new to growing. Ive found the support and advice available on the members site, from other growers on the allotment and from the Dave, the patch...
Julie Potter 2026-04-13
We love our new allotment
We love our new allotment. This is our first year so we are hoping to get something out of it but we'll see. The fact you get all the tools you need there at site to use is a massive bonus as well seeds, soil and a really...
Mrs Nicholls 2026-04-13
We love our little allotment
We love our little allotment growing! Joel at Blithe Meadows is brilliant! Very knowledgeable, always super helpful and it’s a pleasure to be a part of this little community!
Jen Holland 2026-04-13
A different allotment experience at Roots
A different allotment experience with tools on site, different sized plots to suit all. Seeds and plug plants are provided and theres a great community spirit focussing on a positive and healthy environment. Lessons in person...
Erica Leach 2026-04-13
I so love my plot
I so love my plot! Managers so helpful, all the tools I need, loads of seeds included in my subscription. I've met some lovely people and everyone is full of ideas. Having waited on the council list for years I got a plot...
Louise Bungard 2026-04-13
Been at Roots for 2 years now and all I
Been at Roots for 2 years now and all I can say is that it’s been fantastic, it’s like one big family up Sugar loaf lane. Dave aka Coxy has been very helpful and supportive.
David Harrison 2026-04-13
The alltment site at Bowshaw is very
The alltment site at Bowshaw is very well organised by the manager Will. The field is beautiful and plots are variable sizes offering choice . They also organise variable activitues. It is still developing as a new site but I...
Sun Set000 2026-04-13
You wouldn't believe the improvement in
You wouldn't believe the improvement in my mental & physical well being because i've got my hands & feet on the Earth. So good, we did it twice :)
Ana 2026-04-13
I love roots
I love roots. The sugar loaf site is fabulous it's manager Dave(coxy)is helpful and has so much knowledge. You get a great package with seeds/plug plants and the use of tools. The community are friendly and always there to...
Julie Houghton 2026-04-13
Fantastic experience
I’ve had a patch at the Newbottle site for a while and it’s brilliant. The support is excellent, and everyone is helpful and supportive. It’s a perfect way to learn about growing veg, and I’d recommend it to anyone.
Jo Law 2026-04-13
ROOTS has been great for me
ROOTS has been great for me, it has helped my mental heath a lot, being able to get back to gardening & being surrounded by such an amazing community. The site manager & the organisation heads are always on hand to help.
Karl Leighton 2026-04-13
Had my plot for 3 years
Had my plot for 3 years, and I absolutely love roots. Such an amazing option beyond traditional allotment plots. Highly recommend.
Corina Hojan 2026-04-13
We have been growing with roots for two
We have been growing with roots for two years at the Meadow Hill Croydon allotment. Considering my husband and I had never gardened before - this has been absolutely amazing. The support and community is so strong and roots...
Thushya Logan 2026-04-13
Friendly and lovely location.
Great place. Friendly atmosphere. Dave does a fantastic job looking after everyone. Lovely location and all the tools you need on site. It’s addictive. A wonderful place to spend time growing👍
Sam Beasley 2026-04-13
Although new to the patch
Although new to the patch, we have found it to be really friendly and perfect for us as beginners. Having equipment provided, and support on hand is invaluable- thanks!
Michelle Allen 2026-04-13
Great opportunity to get growing
Great opportunity to get growing. Everything you need to get started. Tools, space, seeds and plug plants. I love my plots. And I love what it allows me to to for my family. Local organic food. Been on an allotment waiting...
Rebecca Pilkington 2026-04-13
Excellent set up
Excellent set up. Informative free visit with no pressure. The site is well set up with everything you could need to get you going. I think prices are very reasonable considering what is provided. So pleased I found them...
Michelle Patton 2026-04-13
A great community spirit
A great community spirit, I literally know nothing about growing and they have helped me so much
Shaun 2026-04-13
It's the best decision I have made
It's the best decision I have made getting an allotment with Roots Allotments. The community is great, and the subscription includes workshops, seeds, use of the equipment- wheelbarrow, spades etc. I fully recommend it. You...
Kirsty B 2026-04-13
I love my roots allotment
I love my roots allotment. Im disabled and struggle to walk too far so thet helped by putting a bench near my plot fir me to sit. My assistancd dog lives it down there too and the community is rwally helpful
Julianne Wright 2026-04-13

Where it is

St Nicholas Meadows sits in the Vale of Glamorgan, west of Cardiff. The pin is the gate, and the coordinates under it are the ones in our own records.

St NicholasVale of Glamorgan, west of Cardiff
First in WalesEvery other Roots site is in England. This one opened on 1 October.
No waiting listNo council list and no ballot. You pick the bed yourself.
Get directions →

Gate location 51.465838, -3.299291. Parking on site.

Three sizes you can have today

A Couples is two beds side by side and a Group is three, so they are the same growing with more of it. Every one of these is marked out on the ground at a Roots site, and the counts come off the register as you read them. The Mini is sold out at St Nicholas.

Starter allotment at a Roots site, 3 x 12m marked out on the ground

Starter allotment

3 x 12m

One grower who means it. An hour or two a week.

£24.99 a month

Included in the membership

  • Beds built and filled before you arrive
  • Every tool kept on site, maintained and replaced
  • Compost and water, delivered and plumbed
  • 26 seed varieties a year, plus plug plants each season
  • 21 courses and 145 lessons, free from day one
  • A patch manager on site, and holiday watering cover
See this one on a tour →
Couples allotment at a Roots site, 6 x 12m marked out on the ground

Couples allotment

6 x 12m

Two growers. Enough to eat from all season.

£43.74 a month

Included in the membership

  • Beds built and filled before you arrive
  • Every tool kept on site, maintained and replaced
  • Compost and water, delivered and plumbed
  • 26 seed varieties a year, plus plug plants each season
  • 21 courses and 145 lessons, free from day one
  • A patch manager on site, and holiday watering cover
See this one on a tour →
Group allotment at a Roots site, 9 x 12m marked out on the ground

Group allotment

9 x 12m

A family, or a few households who share the watering.

£62.49 a month

Included in the membership

  • Beds built and filled before you arrive
  • Every tool kept on site, maintained and replaced
  • Compost and water, delivered and plumbed
  • 26 seed varieties a year, plus plug plants each season
  • 21 courses and 145 lessons, free from day one
  • A patch manager on site, and holiday watering cover
See this one on a tour →

What's included

None of it is an add on, and none of it is a starter pack that runs out in May.

Broad beans growing on a prepared no dig bed
Your bed, already builtFilled and mulched before you arrive.
The twenty six seed varieties in the welcome bag, listed with the seed house each one comes from
Seeds all seasonPosted as each sowing window opens.
A compost bin and water butt beside a growing bed
Plug plantsFor the things that sulk from seed.
Members collecting a wheelbarrow from the on site tool store
Tools, compost, woodchipIn the shed and on site, all year.
A Roots patch manager
A patch managerOn site in the week. Ryan runs St Nicholas.
The Roots members app
21 courses in the appFirst sowing to winter beds.
A workshop at a Roots site
Workshops and seed swapsNo dig demos, pruning, composting.
A harvest celebration at a Roots site
Events through the yearLong table dinners and the opening party.

West Cardiff sits in its own regional price band, so the figures on this page are the St Nicholas ones. Photographs are of existing Roots sites.

The seeds you will grow

Twenty six varieties a year, from six seed houses, free to claim from your own site. Heritage vegetables, herbs, and flowers the bees come for.

Lavender - English seed
flowerLavender - EnglishFragrant purple spikes loved by bees. A cottage garden classic.Earthsong Seeds
Safflower seed
flowerSafflowerBright orange-yellow thistle-like blooms, great for cutting and drying.SheGrowsVeg
Nigella seed
flowerNigellaDelicate "Love-in-a-Mist" blooms in blue, white and pink.Earthsong Seeds
Sunflower - Giant Yellow seed
flowerSunflower - Giant YellowTowering golden heads up to 2m tall. A patch showstopper.Earthsong Seeds
Hyssop seed
flowerHyssopAromatic blue flower spikes that pollinators adore.SheGrowsVeg
Daisy - Chamomile seed
flowerDaisy - ChamomileDainty white flowers perfect for calming herbal tea.Earthsong Seeds
Beetroot Mix seed
vegetableBeetroot MixThree stunning varieties: Jannis, Chioggia & Wintersonne.Tamar Organics
Radish Mix seed
vegetableRadish MixA trio of Saxa, Eiszapfen & Raxe, ready in just 4 weeks.Tamar Organics
Lettuce Mix seed
vegetableLettuce MixRoxy, Cos Maureen, Red Salad Bowl & Lollo Rossa, colour all summer.Tamar Organics
Mustard - Edible Red seed
vegetableMustard - Edible RedSpicy baby leaves with deep red colour. Great in salads.SheGrowsVeg
Onion - Cuisse De Poulet seed
vegetableOnion - Cuisse De PouletFrench shallot with a delicate, sweet flavour.Real Seeds
Carrot - Solvita seed
vegetableCarrot - SolvitaSweet and crunchy main-crop carrot, excellent flavour.SheGrowsVeg
Kale - Red Russian seed
vegetableKale - Red RussianHardy purple-tinged leaves, sweet after frost. Grows all winter.SheGrowsVeg
Chard - Erbette seed
vegetableChard - ErbetteItalian green chard with tender, mild-flavoured leaves.Tamar Organics
Dwarf Bean - Barlotto Di Fuoco seed
vegetableDwarf Bean - Barlotto Di FuocoBeautiful Italian borlotti with fire-red speckled pods.Tomato Revolution
Climbing Bean - Helda seed
vegetableClimbing Bean - HeldaFlat, stringless pods with superb flavour. Very productive.Real Seeds
Pea - Karina seed
vegetablePea - KarinaSweet and prolific dwarf pea, ideal for smaller patches.Real Seeds
Sweetcorn - Golden Bantam seed
vegetableSweetcorn - Golden BantamHeritage variety with rich, sweet golden kernels.Tomato Revolution
Cucumber - Lemon seed
vegetableCucumber - LemonRound, yellow fruits with crisp, mild flavour. A real talking point.Real Seeds
Spring Onion - Parade seed
vegetableSpring Onion - ParadeQuick-growing with a mild flavour. Great for salads and stir-fries.Tamar Organics
Broad Bean - Eleonora seed
vegetableBroad Bean - EleonoraEarly cropping and reliable. Delicious young or dried.Real Seeds
Dill - Tetra seed
herbDill - TetraBushy variety ideal for fish, salads and pickling.Vital Seeds
Basil - Red seed
herbBasil - RedDeep purple leaves with intense aroma. Stunning in pots.Vital Seeds
Parsley - French seed
herbParsley - FrenchFlat-leaf variety packed with flavour. Kitchen essential.Vital Seeds
Coriander - Caribe seed
herbCoriander - CaribeSlow-to-bolt variety with abundant fresh leaves.Vital Seeds
Phacelia seed
coverPhaceliaBeautiful purple flowers that fix the soil and feed pollinators.Earthsong Seeds

Plus plug plants delivered to site each spring, for the things that are miserable from seed.

It carries on when you are not there

An allotment that falls apart the fortnight you go away is not much of a gift to yourself. These are the real screens, not a mock up.

The The news feed in the Roots app Your growing year in the Roots app A week of the growing year in the Roots app Your plot in the Roots app

The news feedPosts from your own site and from every Roots site, in one place.

Your growing yearFifty two weeks, each with its lesson, its jobs and what is on at the site that weekend.

This week on the patchOne video, a checklist you tick off, and the Saturday social that goes with it.

Your plotYour own bed, drawn. What is in it, what to sow next, and when.

Holiday cover

Tell the app you are away and your patch manager waters, picks and keeps on top of it while you are gone. You come back to a bed, not a jungle.

The members app

Your patch, your site's feed, the people on the next row, and what to sow this week. Twenty one courses in it, from first sowing to putting beds to bed for winter.

A patch manager on site

Not a phone line. Ryan runs St Nicholas and is there in the week. If something is eating your brassicas he will tell you what and what to do about it.

Pause, move or stop

No contract to the end of time. Monthly rolls and you can stop it with thirty days' notice, no reason needed and nobody to persuade. Inside fourteen days of paying you can cancel outright and we refund you in full.

Twenty one courses, free from day one

A hundred and forty five lessons in the app, taught by Charles Dowding and the Roots team. Not an upsell and not a trial. They are in the membership from the day you join.

A still from the lesson Introduction to Harvesting & Clearing for Minimal Disturbance
Introduction to Harvesting & Clearing for Minimal DisturbanceClearing for Minimal Soil Disturbance
A still from the lesson Annuals and Perennials
Annuals and PerennialsDifferent Plants
A still from the lesson Introduction to Growing Your Own Potatoes
Introduction to Growing Your Own PotatoesGrowing Potatoes
A still from the lesson Introduction to Growing Structures
Introduction to Growing StructuresGrowing Structures
A still from the lesson Introduction to Harvesting & Clearing for Minimal Disturabance
Introduction to Harvesting & Clearing for Minimal DisturabanceHarvesting your Veggies
A still from the lesson Introduction
IntroductionIncreasing Growth & Biodiversity
A still from the lesson Ed's Herb Patch
Ed's Herb PatchIntroduction to Common Edible Herbs
A still from the lesson Cooking Course Introduction
Cooking Course IntroductionKates Cooking Lessons
A still from the lesson April
AprilMonthly Jobs
A still from the lesson Introduction to Natural Fertilisers
Introduction to Natural FertilisersNatural Fertilisers
A still from the lesson Winter Bed Prep
Winter Bed PrepNo Dig Knowledgle
A still from the lesson Introduction to Common Pests
Introduction to Common PestsPest Damage & How to Combat
A still from the lesson Introduction to Planting Out & Spacings
Introduction to Planting Out & SpacingsPlanting out & Spacings
A still from the lesson Curing your Veg
Curing your VegPreserving Your Produce

And two things that are not a bed

Both sit on the same site. One of them has gone.

Inside a Roots polytunnel Sold out

Polytunnel

All 46 went within a day of release. A 6 x 2.8m tunnel of your own with the compost already in it, and a 6 x 3m allotment outside the front.

£40 a month when they are available

The fastest anything at St Nicholas has sold. If more go in, the waiting list hears first.

A Roots chicken patch

Chicken patch

Your own coop and run, with automatic doors, feed and water, and fox proof fencing. You bring the birds and we can point you at local breeders.

£150 deposit today, then £55 a month

The runs open in Spring 2027. They are built over the winter, so the deposit holds your patch with your name on it and the £55 a month does not start until the day the run opens. The deposit is the only fee before then.

What it actually looks like

Roots sites across England, in the season they were photographed. St Nicholas is the first in Wales and it is built the same way.

Things that happen on site

A Roots site is not a car park with soil in it. This is some of what runs through a year.

An opening weekend at a Roots site
Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October

The Grand Opening Party

Charles Dowding on no dig, a DJ, coffee vans, patch managers down from sites all over the country, and games for the kids. Free, no ticket, just turn up.

See the event →
A long table dinner at a Roots site

Long table dinners

Everyone brings what they grew. Cooked on site, eaten on site.

Members at a Roots site

Workshops and seed swaps

No dig demos, pruning, composting, and a lot of spare seedlings changing hands.

Discounts

Taken off the monthly price at the checkout, before anything is charged. One discount applies at a time, and they stack with paying ahead.

25%

NHS staff

Anybody working for the NHS, any role. Not just clinical.

10%

Blue Light Card

Police, fire and ambulance, and anyone holding a Blue Light Card.

10%

Students

Any full-time course, any age.

10%

On benefits

Universal Credit, Pension Credit or ESA, in your name.

10%

Disability

Any disability or long-term health condition. Tell us what you need and we will sort it. Please do not send medical records.

A Starter allotment at £24.99 a month is £18.74 with the NHS discount. Paying ahead saves more again, and you choose that at the checkout.

Free · no obligation · nothing to pay

Book a free tour

Patches here are not sold online any more. Come and walk the ground with the patch manager, ask anything, and take one if it is right for you.

Tours run at 09:30 and 14:30.

No card, no deposit, no obligation. We will email you a confirmation.

🌙The 17:30 slot is not listed: sunset at St Nicholas is 16:59 on 26 October and 16:10 by the end of November, so an evening tour would be walked in the dark. It comes back when the clocks go forward in March.