allotment Gill Wild

Gill Wild

An allotment is a piece of land, usually split into smaller sections, leased to individuals for growing fruit, vegetables, or flowers. Managed by local councils or associations, these plots give city dwellers a chance to engage with nature and enjoy the fruits (and veg) of their labour.

England is full of allotments, where people without gardens can rent a plot  to grow their own food. However waiting lists are very long (from a few months to 15 years in Islington).

  1. Grow Your Own Food: There’s nothing quite like the taste of home-grown produce—fresh, organic, and as local as it gets.
  2. Community Spirit: Allotments often form tight-knit communities. Share tips, tools, and your harvest with neighbours.
  3. Health Benefits: Gardening is a great way to stay active, relieve stress, and soak up vitamin D from the sun. Plus, tending a garden requires plenty of kneeling and bending, offering a full-body workout!

How to Find an Allotment Plot

Start by checking with your local council. They often have a list of available allotments or can point you to a local association. A quick search online with your city or town’s name followed by “allotments” will often yield promising leads.

Allotments are in high demand, so patience is key. Contact your chosen association to ask about plot availability and any waiting lists. Some areas may have longer waits, but don’t be discouraged; good things come to those who wait.

Once you’ve found an association, arrange a visit. Take the time to walk through potential plots. Consider sunlight, water access, and the state of the soil. It’s also worth checking how accessible the site is from your home, especially if you’ll be carrying gardening tools or heavy bags of compost.

Most allotment associations require you to fill out an application form. This might be accompanied by a small fee, which covers maintenance and administrative costs. Keep these handy.

Before you commit, read through any terms and conditions carefully. You’ll be expected to maintain your plot and adhere to any site rules, such as those concerning water usage, pesticide restrictions, and quiet hours.

After submitting your application, the wait begins. Once approved, you’ll get the keys or code to access your plot. It’s time to plan your garden layout and perhaps meet your plot neighbours.

a perfect plot Nikky Corker

Nikky Corker

Allotments predate to Anglo-Saxon times (land is measured in ‘rods’ of 25 square feet), rented out cheaply by councils or churches. You can apply for a council allotment or look up plots to rent at AllotMe (where you can also offer land to rent). Rent is traditionally collected each year on 29th September (Michaelmas).

Most allotments include water costs in the rent (councils can save money by installing quality water tanks (from 700 to 1200 litres) and composting toilets (ideal for where there is no mains). Gardeners can donate excess produce to charities like Gloucestershire’s Freezers of Love (which gives it to hungry people).

Some allotments let you keep hens, but looking after chickens is complex anyway (rescuing/feeding ex-battery hens, keeping safe from predators) which gets more complicated for shared space (foxes at night, cockerels often banned due to noise etc).

Choose quality compost bins (avoid ‘hot’ food-waste digesters that can ‘cook’ garden creatures – avoid composting tea/coffee grounds, as caffeine can harm garden creatures).

the good life Julia Crossland

Call me repressed, call me terribly English, but when I go to my allotment, I’m not seeking spiritual knowledge. I’m seeking vegetables. And perhaps a bit of fresh air and exercise. But that’s all. I’m not there to unblock my chakras. I haven’t got time. I’ve got to put horse poo on the bean rows. Leave me alone. Paul Kingsnorth

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