England has hundreds of thousands of allotments, but waiting lists can be as long as 40 years! And a fifth or all people (or 1 in 8 people nationally) have no access to a private garden. And the rising cost of food means even supermarket prices are getting pricey.
See how to make allotments safe for pets (to know toxic plants, flowers, trees, mulch to avoid). Also learn toxic indoor plants to avoid. Keep windfalls from pets (too many apples etc could harm). Avoid foliage facing windows, to help stop birds flying into windows.
Did you know that most onions from UK supermarkets have 4500 food mile journey? We import half our food, yet onions grow in England! And growing them locally not only means less packaging and carbon emissions, but they taste nicer and provide local jobs.
- AllotMe lets you find a plot or list your space to let others use your garden to grow food for 3 months or one season. Some insurance is covered (say if an assistance animal damages the plot) but does not cover theft (you choose prices and use your garden when not in use).
- Apply for an allotment via your local council, but you may be waiting a long time! At least you’ll get on the waiting list.
- Royal Horticultural Society has good advice on starting an allotment. This is the ideal alternative, if waiting lists are too long to join an existing one. It covers finding land and crops to choose, and how to cope with typical changeable English weather!
