So you want an allotment?

Where do you find out about allotments?

Contact your local authority -

What are the rules?

You rent the allotment, becoming the tenant. The rules are contained in a tenancy agreement.

Tenants have a duty of care to each other and also to visitors to the allotment site. Children and pets should also be kept under control.

Your allotment must be kept clean and maintained in a good state of cultivation. Paths on allotment sites should be kept clear for access and you are responsible for minor paths.

PDF printable guide about allotments - right click file save as. Then you can either read offline or print.

The official guide - Allotments: a plot holders' guide - this covers:

Why have an allotment?

How do I get an allotment?

What can I expect to be provided?

What can I do with my plot?

What can't I do with my plot?

Does it cost much?

What the tenancy agreement will contain

What happens if the local authority wants to dispose of the land?

A summary of responsibilities

Other help:

National Society of Allotment & Leisure Gardeners Ltd. (NSALG)
O'Dell House
Hunters Road
Corby
Northamptonshire NN17 5JE

Phone: 01536 266 576
Fax: 01536 264 509
Web site: www.nsalg.org.uk/

Soil Association
Bristol House
40 - 56 Victoria Street
Bristol BS1 6BY

Phone: 0117 929 0661
Web site: www.soilassociation.org

SUSTAIN: The alliance for better food and farming
94 White Lion Street
London N1 9PF

Phone: 020 7837 1228
Web site: www.sustainweb.org

What if there are no allotments in your area?

Each allotment authority decides for itself how much of its resources to devote to allotments. However, if an authority believes there is a demand, it has a statutory duty to provide a sufficient quantity of plots and to lease them to people living in its area.

If local people feel there is a need for allotments which is not being met, they can get together a group of any six residents who are registered on the electoral roll and put their case to the local authority.

You can find out more about this on the official guide above or contact the allotment society.

Other useful allotment links

The Allotment - Offers DVDs of a television series (first shown on ITV West) on allotments and allotmenteers.

Allotments and Children - Notes for new allotment holders who have children. Links to related web-sites.

Allotments in Leeds - An unofficial listing of allotment sites in Leeds City, by postcode.

Allotments Regeneration Initiative - A partnership promoting and supporting urban allotments, with details of grants and publications.

Bradford and West Yorkshire Gardening - BBC Bradford follow Bradford Community Environment Project for a year as they reclaim a derelict allotment. Photographs, interview, and information on getting an allotment.

Elson Allotment - Beryl and John Saunders' allotment in Elson, Gosport, illustrates their commitment to keeping the allotment movement alive. Includes advice and tips, photos, and a diary.

The Gardener's Cooksite - An allotment gardener's year, with details of fruit and vegetables (some unusual) she grows. Also includes recipes for using up the harvest.

Grandpa's Victory Garden - Account of a wartime allotment plot.

Growing Your Own Produce - An account, with pictures, of working Tavistock Street Allotments, Hull. Includes advice on vegetable growing, and running a successful allotment.

The Kitchen Garden in Cornwall - Monthly reminder of jobs to do in the kitchen garden or allotment, dealing with pests without using chemicals, and ideas for using seasonal produce.

Lemon Jelly Garden - Diary of a children's gardening and reading project on a community allotment in Tynemouth. Includes recipes and press cuttings.

Moonbells' Allotment Diary - A month by month diary of an allotment plot, with advice for new allotment holders.

Moulescoomb Forest Garden and Wildlife Project - Information about a fascinating project on a Brighton allotment site. Includes details of the project, and Tales from the Allotment Shed. Also photos, and visitor details.

National Allotments Week - Annual event arranged by the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardens to promote awareness and availability of allotments both locally and nationally.

Salsify and Scorzonera - A guide to managing a healthy and successful allotment plot, with information on growing vegetables, herbs and soft fruit, based on a plot (with children) in Yorkshire; includes a diary.

Tatnam Organic Patch Project - A family and environment friendly project on Tatnam Farm Allotment Site, Poole, creating a model organic garden and wildlife habitat, as a stimulus for community action. Pictures, news, links to Local Agenda 21 projects in Poole.

UK Allotments - Offers allotment management software for allotment societies. Includes some links.

About allotments