An allotment site with greenhouses and wooden fencing under a partly cloudy sky, surrounded by trees and lush greenery.

Getting Started

  • Think about storage

    • Having good tools and a secure place to keep them, makes things easy.

  • Become aware of the weather and your garden

    • If you listen and watch carefully, it will tell you what needs doing next.

  • Think about what you’ll grow

    • The real value of allotments is in salad greens and fruit and veggies that are very expensive, are best eaten freshly picked, or aren’t commonly found in the shops.

  • Consistency is key

    • Short, regular visits is better than a full day blitzing the plot once a month.

Remember you have other commitments as well as your allotment - don’t neglect other important things for the sake of a few weeds!

Some general tips for beginners

  • Start small!

    • If you’re a beginner, a 5x10m plot is recommended.

  • Grow the easy stuff first

    • Squash, broad beans, leeks, garlic, kale, purple sprouting broccoli, Swiss chard and corn salad are easy to grow, and will even put up with some shade.

  • Get to know your neighbours

    • The best people to speak to about your plot’s history are the old timers neighbouring you.

  • Give the soil priority

    • Getting the soil fertile is more than half the work done, and will give satisfying results.