Grow Digbeth: Vine and Vessel Community Plant Hub

Aim

Opening a plant-filled third space in Digbeth: a calm study hub by day and an evening classroom for soil health and heritage seed saving.

Hi, I’m Lillian, the founder of Vine and Vessel, an independent micro-nursery and botanical studio based in Digbeth, Birmingham.

I grew up on a small family farm in North Carolina, learning how to grow food, save seeds, and care for soil alongside my mother and grandmother. After moving to the UK and spending over a decade managing high-volume retail stores and creative studios across Birmingham, I saw how disconnected urban communities are from nature, food resilience, and affordable places to just exist.

Right now, I’m cultivating plants and preserving open-pollinated heritage seeds from my flat in Digbeth. But working from home limits how safely I can welcome people in. I’m raising funds to move Vine and Vessel into a public-facing space in Digbeth AND not just as a plant shop, but as a dual-purpose community hub. 

By Day (A Plant-Filled Third Space): A calm, sensory-friendly spot where locals, students, and remote workers can sit, study, or work surrounded by greenery with zero pressure to buy.

By Evening (A Community Classroom): A hands-on workshop space teaching urban soil health, balcony and container growing, chemical-free plant care, and heritage seed saving.

Why I Need Your Support

Starting from scratch without a traditional commercial loan is tough, so every pound pledged here goes directly toward securing a safe, accessible pop-up or meanwhile-use space in Digbeth, modular tables and seating, public liability insurance, and workshop supplies.

You aren't just donating because you can claim a digital growing guide, or book a spot at our very first evening soil and propagation workshop. Thank you for helping bring more green space and practical growing skills to Digbeth.

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 30th January 2027 at 12:19pm