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Surely there\u2019s nothing more satisfying than growing your own food<\/a>? And when it\u2019s in a community-run space<\/a> among friendly neighbours in the fresh air, growing food on allotment<\/a> is all the more pleasurable. If you\u2019re lacking space for growing food<\/a> in your garden or simply like the idea of tending a plot of land, getting lots of free exercise and saving money on your grocery bills, then renting an allotment might be the next best step for you.<\/p>\n Need more on allotments? Here\u2019s expert organic food grower Huw Richards\u2019 tips on how to maintain your allotment.<\/a><\/p>\n An allotment is a plot of land made available for cultivating purposes, whether that be for growing vegetables<\/a> or flowers<\/a>, keeping chickens<\/a> or even bees<\/a>. The land is divided up into sections and rented out to individuals who want to grow their produce.<\/p>\n Allotments are usually run by local councils, parish councils, community groups and charities, or are privately run.<\/p>\n Rental prices vary for an allotment plot, but on average you can expect to pay around \u00a330 a year for a plot.<\/p>\n Firstly, have a search online, remembering to look on Facebook and Twitter.<\/p>\n Some allotments don\u2019t have a website or social media presence, so also look on public noticeboards and enquire at your local parish council office or library. If there are no allotments<\/a> in your area, enquire at neighbouring parish councils too.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve found a local allotment, you can then apply to get on their waiting list for a plot.<\/p>\n Alternatively, if you have the finances to buy your own piece of land, you can apply for permission to turn it into an allotment and become an allotment landlord yourself!<\/p>\n Tenants will usually be provided with a tenancy agreement detailing the rules to follow. Usually these rules will include keeping your plot free of weeds<\/a>, and keeping your plot tidy during the winter months. Many rules also stipulate that tenants aren\u2019t allowed to sell their allotment produce.<\/p>\n Decide on the layout of your allotment, whether you want to have raised beds<\/a> or plant straight into the ground<\/a>. You might want to include a compost<\/a> heap or compost bin<\/a> in your layout, and where to build a shed if there isn\u2019t one already.<\/p>\n When planning your paths<\/a>, make sure they\u2019re wide enough to wheel a wheelbarrow<\/a> down, with easy access to your compost heap. You might also want to lay wood chip on the paths so they don\u2019t get too muddy.<\/p>\n From carrots and courgettes to peas and potatoes, the sky is the limit when it comes to growing your own food on an allotment. But this means it can be a bit overwhelming when deciding what to plant.<\/p>\n The best thing to do is keep it simple and only grow what you eat and enjoy. If you barely cook with kale, why bother growing it?<\/p>\n Also, be realistic about how much time you can dedicate to growing certain plants. If you think you can only visit your allotment a couple of times a week, then grow robust plants that require little care, such as broccoli, cabbage and rhubarb.<\/p>\n Try to incorporate growing flowers on your plot too for attracting pollinators.<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\nWhat is an allotment?<\/h2>\n
How to get an allotment<\/h2>\n
Allotment rules<\/h2>\n
Planning your allotment<\/h2>\n
What to grow on an allotment<\/h2>\n