Free: Allotment of the Future in St Ann’s Square for Science in the City Festival

A giant allotment is taking over St Ann’s Square for a week as part of Manchester’s Science in the City Festival which starts on Friday (22 Jul). The green site is aptly named the Allotment of the Future and visitors have the opportunity to learn about future food sources, how to make insects taste good, how to ferment stuff and much more. We like the sound of workshops on growing crops from used coffee grounds; apparently, oyster and shitake mushrooms thrive in this environment. Sections of the allotment are devoted urban growing, soil health, technology and climate change. Chefs will be on site on a number of days too, running various sessions plus Sow the City are running workshops on growing plants without soil (no really!). The allotment includes a coffee shop and an urban farm prototype, showcasing low-carbon methods of growing your own food. Science in the City takes in a wide range of free events from toddler workshops to Mars Rover design competitions – read our top 5 guide.

Fri 22 – Fri 29 Jul, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7LF www.manchestersciencecity.com