Allotments in the UK are having a moment. Waiting lists have lengthened, new sites are opening and more people than ever are growing their own food. If you've been thinking about applying, this guide covers everything you need to know — from getting on a waiting list to what to grow in your first season.
Getting on the waiting list
Most allotments in the UK are managed by local councils. To join a waiting list, contact your local council's parks or leisure department — most now have an online form. In some areas the wait is months, in others it can be several years. Apply as soon as you decide you want one, even if you're not quite ready — the wait will give you time to plan.
Some allotment associations manage their own sites independently of the council. It's worth searching for local allotment associations as well as the council route — waiting times can vary significantly between sites in the same area.
When a plot becomes available you'll usually be given a viewing and a short time to decide. Plots are sometimes in poor condition — overgrown, full of weeds, with broken structures. Don't be put off by this. A neglected plot that needs clearing is normal and will become a blank canvas once you've worked through it.
Understanding your plot
Full allotment plots are traditionally 10 rods (approximately 250 square metres). Many sites now offer half plots — around 125 square metres — which is a much more manageable starting size, especially in your first year. If offered a choice, a half plot is the right decision for most new allotment holders.
Before you start planting, spend a few visits just observing the plot. Note which areas get the most sun, where water collects after rain, whether the soil is sandy and free-draining or heavy clay. This will inform everything you plant and where you plant it.
What to grow in your first season
The most common beginner mistake is growing too much variety. A first-season plot with twenty different crops will overwhelm you. Choose five or six things you actually eat and focus on those.
One of the most productive and easiest crops you can grow. Two plants will produce more courgettes than most families can eat. Sow indoors in April, plant out after the last frost. They need a warm spot and regular watering but are largely trouble-free.
Fast, easy and you can start harvesting within six weeks of sowing. Sow directly into the ground from March onwards and make successive sowings every three weeks to keep the harvest going. Mix of lettuce, rocket, spinach and mustard leaves gives variety.
Extremely productive per square metre and easy to grow. Runner beans need support (canes or a frame) but will reward you with weeks of picking from July onwards. French beans are a good choice if you want a less vigorous plant.
Allotment stalwarts for good reason — they're easy to grow, store well and the first time you dig up a clutch of home-grown potatoes is genuinely satisfying. Earlies (planted March/April, harvested July) are the best starting point. They also help break up new ground, which is useful on a freshly cleared plot.
Plant in October/November, harvest in July. Almost zero maintenance in between. Garlic is one of the easiest crops you can grow and home-grown garlic tastes significantly better than supermarket garlic. A 1m row will give you 30+ bulbs.
Clearing an overgrown plot
If your plot has been neglected, clearing it properly before planting is the most important thing you can do. Perennial weeds — bindweed, dock, couch grass — need to be dug out completely or they will keep returning all season.
For a heavily overgrown plot, covering sections with cardboard or black plastic sheeting and leaving it for a season is sometimes the most practical approach. This smothers weeds without the labour of digging. You can plant through gaps in the covering or focus your first season on the cleared sections only.
Tools you actually need
You don't need much to start. A spade, a fork, a hoe, a trowel and a watering can are the essentials. Buy decent quality second-hand tools from car boot sales or charity shops rather than cheap new ones — old Spear & Jackson or Bulldog tools are far superior to cheap modern equivalents.
Plan your allotment season
The GrowGuide What to Plant tool tells you exactly what to sow each month — perfect for planning your first allotment year.
What to Plant This Month →