GARDENING, we all know, gives you an appetite – and a thirst. So Taste of Manchester is delighted to see that Dig The City, which starts on Friday, July 31, offers plenty of refuelling opportunities.
Hungry? Pop down to the Budweiser Budvar Tankové Pivo Bar on King Street for drinks, street food and snacks, or try the Dig the City Den (St Ann’s Sq) for fine ales, coffee and cake, sharing platters, hog roast and paella. Or try the world’s most intimate martini bar, parked up in a French vintage van outside Harvey Nichols.
All these are perfect oases in a city centre carpeted with show gardens for the festival, which runs until Thursday, August 6, offering dozens of attractions including talks, demos and music.
The fresh produce side is again prominent with a huge emphasis on grow-your-own in its green agenda.
Projects such as Salford’s Incredible Edible educating folk in how to plan a food plot even with limited space or the Moss Cider Project, a pop-up orchard selling apple juice and Dig The City Cider made especially for the festival. Moss Cier will also be running a further event at Manchester Food and Drink Festival in September.
The Dig for Victory Garden, created by Real Food Wythenshawe, offers a horticultural trip from plant to plate. Herbs, vegetables, trailing tomatoes and cucumbers will be planted alongside a team that shares “green smoothies” and simple growing ideas to inspire visitors. Chorlton’s PostBox Cafe and hydroponics cafes are also worth keeping an eye out for.
A big attraction is likely to be the Hulme Community Garden Centre's contribution. They have turned the steps down to Cateaton Street into a mountain stream complete with pool and wildflower-studded meadow.
Click here for full festival guide.
Dig The City. Fri 31 Jul 31-Thu Aug 6. Various city centre locations, free entry, 10am-8pm.