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The June Foraging Bucket List

June is one of the most rewarding months for foraging in the UK, with hedgerows, meadows, woodlands, and field margins bursting into life. From fragrant elderflowers and wild roses to flavour-packed herbs and edible blooms, nature's pantry is at its summer best.

Making the Most of Your Allotment This June

June is a busy and rewarding month on the allotment. With crops growing quickly and the first harvests arriving, it's time to plant, sow, water and maintain your plot. This month, every job is an opportunity to embrace the National Allotments Week theme of Grow to Learn and develop your gardening skills.

Bringing an Overgrown Allotment Back to Life

Clearing an allotment is the start of ongoing care, not a one-off task. Regular maintenance, mulching, and planting help keep weeds under control and support long-term productivity. Little and often is key—staying on top of regrowth makes the plot easier to manage and more productive year after year.

How Volunteers Shape the National Allotment Society

Volunteers are central to the National Allotment Society and the allotment movement, supporting governance, events, communications, and representation across the UK. Opportunities range from occasional help to long-term regional and committee roles, all contributing to the grow your own movement and allotment advocacy. If you’re interested in volunteering with NAS, we’d love to hear from you.

Looking Ahead to Storing and Preserving Your Harvest

As the harvesting season approaches, many allotment holders will soon be thinking about how best to use and store surplus produce. From jams and chutneys to freezing, bottling, and drying, preserving the harvest is a practical way to reduce waste and enjoy homegrown produce throughout the year.

The Ultimate Guide to Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a highly rewarding allotment crop, delivering excellent flavour and generous harvests from a small space. With good care, they provide a steady supply through summer and into autumn, making them a true garden staple from plot to plate.

Beware the Bugs! Common Allotment Pests in May

As temperatures rise in May, allotment pests become more active and young crops can quickly suffer damage. From caterpillars and slugs to flea beetles and aphids, early action is key. Here’s what to look out for this month and the best ways to protect your crops naturally.

World Cocktail Day on the Allotment

Celebrate World Cocktail Day with delicious homegrown drinks inspired by the allotment. From a classic Bloody Mary to refreshing spinach, strawberry, and cucumber cocktails, discover creative ways to use your harvest while supporting the message of National Plant Health Week — because without healthy plants, there would be no homegrown cocktails to enjoy.

Free Plants Hidden Risks What Gardeners Need to Know

Growing plants from kitchen scraps is a satisfying and thrifty way to garden, turning things like sprouting potatoes, ginger, and garlic into new crops and helping reduce waste and costs. However, as we mark National Plant Health Week 2026, it’s important to be aware that not all “free” plants are risk-free. Some can carry diseases, and sprouted potatoes in particular may contain harmful compounds if eaten. The key is to enjoy resourceful gardening while making sensible, informed choices.

May The Month of Instant Wild Food

May is the month when foraging changes pace completely. Hedgerows are thick, meadows are bursting into flower, and growth is so fast that yesterday’s tender shoot can feel like next week’s tough stalk.

May allotment jobs - what to do on your plot this month

May is when the allotment really moves into its stride. Growth accelerates quickly, soil is warm enough for confident planting, and the focus shifts from preparation to keeping pace with everything that is now actively growing. Small, regular attention this month makes a big difference later in the season

A Practical Guide to Choosing the Right Compost for Your Allotment

Good compost quietly underpins everything in the garden—you may not notice it when it’s right, but you certainly will when it’s not. Whether you’re sowing seeds, filling raised beds, or maintaining productive allotment soil, the quality, texture, and balance of your compost all play a crucial role, so here’s a practical look at key types and how they perform in real growing conditions.

How to get an allotment in the UK

Thinking about getting an allotment? This guide explains how to apply for a plot, how waiting lists work, and what to expect when starting your allotment journey. With demand remaining high across the UK, applying early is always recommended.

Five Lessons Children Learn from Vegetable Gardening

A child pulling their first carrot from the soil is a small but powerful moment of discovery, patience, and connection to the world around them. Allotmenteering is more than gardening—it’s a culture of shared knowledge, seasonal living, and quiet generosity where growing together matters as much as what is grown. Even simple experiences in the garden can teach children far more than how to sow a seed.

What Does “Self-Managed” Really Mean for Allotments?

Across the UK, more allotment sites are moving towards self-management, where plot holders take on greater responsibility for running their site while the council retains ownership. Managed through a local allotment association, this approach can improve standards, reduce waste, and strengthen community involvement — but it also comes with added responsibility.

Allotment Structures, Strategies & Smart Growing

Anyone who spends time on an allotment quickly learns that growing food is only half the job — the other half is making sure it survives to harvest. Birds, insects, weather, and wildlife can all reduce yields if not managed, which is why safeguarding your allotment is important. By combining physical structures, natural methods, and smart planting strategies, you can build a more resilient growing space that works with nature rather than against it, using layered approaches rather than relying on a single solution.

To Dig or Not to Dig? That is the Question

Few topics divide allotment growers more than how to manage the soil. From traditional digging and double digging to the increasingly popular no-dig approach, each method has its supporters and benefits. This article takes a balanced look at the history, science, and practical use of each, helping gardeners decide what works best for their own plot.

Homemade fertilisers and plant teas for your allotment

Homemade fertilisers and plant teas are an easy, sustainable way to feed your allotment using natural materials like weeds, compost, and kitchen waste. This guide explains the main types, how to make them, and how to use them to support healthy, productive crops.

Spring Foraging in April – Learning Through Nettles

Nettles are one of the most versatile wild ingredients you can forage in spring. Once cooked or wilted, they lose their sting and can be used in much the same way as spinach or other leafy greens.

April Sustainable Allotment Checklist

April is one of the busiest and most important months on the allotment. The soil is warming, growth is accelerating, and the decisions made now set the tone for the entire growing year. This is the moment to combine productive growing with long-term sustainability — building an allotment that is resilient, efficient, and environmentally sound.

Are Allotments Still Relevant in Modern Britain

Far from being a relic of the past, allotments are thriving. They provide local food, support mental and physical wellbeing, foster community, and help pollinators and biodiversity. With over 174,000 people on waiting lists, it’s clear these spaces are more important than ever.

NAS Legal Support for Allotment Holders and Associations

Ever wondered what legal support comes with NAS membership? Our free initial legal advice helps members navigate tenancy agreements, land disputes, governance issues, and more—providing practical guidance to protect allotments and associations.

Allotment-legal-status

This page explores why knowing your allotment’s legal status is crucial for its protection, how to trace its history through council records, maps, and archives, and the difference between statutory, temporary, and leasehold sites.

Important Tax and Legal Changes Affecting Allotment Associations and Landowners

Two recent UK tax and company law changes, linked to HMRC’s Making Tax Digital programme, will affect allotment associations, landowners, and some individuals. The changes focus on improving transparency by moving more reporting and record-keeping online, meaning organisations will increasingly need to use digital systems and software for compliance.

How to Feed Your Family from an Allotment

Rising food prices put pressure on household budgets, but an allotment can help. Even a small plot can produce hundreds of pounds’ worth of fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables each year, saving money and strengthening local food security.

Wild Garlic and Spring Foraging in March

Discover the flavours of March with wild garlic and other spring foraged plants. Learn how to identify, harvest, and enjoy wild garlic in 10 easy recipes, plus explore nettles, dandelion, horsetail, and hawthorn for early spring foraging.

March Allotment Gardening Checklist

March brings the first signs of spring, making it the perfect time to get your allotment ready. Sow early vegetables under cover, plant onions, leeks, and strawberries, divide perennials, and start composting garden waste. Prune roses and buddleja, protect early blossoms from frost, and leave a few early flowers for pollinators. Taking these steps now sets your allotment up for a productive and vibrant growing season.

How to Protect Your Allotment from Slugs After Wet Weather

Slugs are one of the most persistent pests on allotments, and wet weather can make the problem much worse. Knowing how to protect your allotment from slugs is essential for preserving young crops, leafy vegetables, and tender seedlings.

February Fruit Pruning to Boost Your Allotment Harvest

February may be the quietest month on your allotment, but it’s the perfect time to prepare your fruiting plants for a bountiful season. With careful pruning of apples, pears, berries, and grapes, you can improve plant health, boost flowering, and enjoy a bigger, healthier harvest later in the year.

Digging for the Future: A History of Allotments in the UK

How did allotments begin, and why do they remain so important today? From their origins in providing land for ordinary people to grow food, allotments have evolved into thriving spaces that support health, community, and sustainability—continuing a rich tradition that still shapes our landscapes and lives.

Using Cardboard on Our Allotments

Ever wondered if cardboard is safe to use on your allotment? Plain, non-glossy cardboard can help suppress weeds, enrich the soil, and encourage worms, creating a healthier ecosystem—just avoid glossy or waxed boxes and respect each gardener’s approach.

National Allotments Week 2026 – Grow to Learn

From 10–16 August 2026, National Allotments Week celebrates the many benefits of allotments. This year’s theme, Grow to Learn, highlights how allotments teach practical skills, life lessons, and support wellbeing for people of all ages.

February Foraging and Winter Recipes

Even in February, the UK holds wild treasures. From garlic mustard and sorrel to dandelion crisps, gorse, and wood ear mushrooms, winter foraging adds flavour, nutrition, and fun to your kitchen. Preserve your finds with freezing, sugaring, or infusions to enjoy nature’s bounty all month long.

Sustainable Gardening on the Allotment in February

Winter isn’t over yet, but the allotment is already alive beneath the surface. February is about working with nature — protecting soil, supporting wildlife, and preparing gently for the season ahead in a sustainable way.

What to Do While You’re on the Allotment Waiting List

Being on an allotment waiting list doesn’t mean doing nothing. While you wait, you can volunteer at existing plots or community gardens, start growing at home in pots or on windowsills, plan your future plot, and join the National Allotment Society for expert advice, seed discounts, and support in protecting allotments. Stay informed about council updates and plot availability so you’re ready to start growing as soon as your plot becomes available.

Rats on Allotments

Rats are common on UK allotments and can pose risks to both crops and health. This guide explains why rats are attracted to allotments and how gardeners can reduce problems through good plot management and prevention.

Growing Vegetables in Containers on Your Allotment

From tomatoes and cucumbers to carrots, beans, and herbs, almost any vegetable can thrive in a pot or grow bag on your allotment. With the right container, compost, and care, you can enjoy a productive harvest all season.

The Ultimate Guide to Cabbage

Cabbage is a hardy, versatile allotment favourite. From tender summer leaves to robust winter heads, it’s perfect for salads, soups, stir-fries, or braises. Home-grown cabbage is fresher, sweeter, and packed with nutrients — a crop that rewards your plot and your plate.

Keep Your Allotment Wildlife Friendly While Using Fewer Pesticides

The BBKA warns that pesticide use poses risks to pollinators, soil, and wildlife, and these concerns are just as relevant to allotments, where our choices affect the health of insects, soil life, and the wider environment

Make Every Drop Count – Rainwater Harvesting on Your Allotment

Collecting rainwater is an easy way to save money, protect the environment, and keep your plants thriving. Rainwater is often better for plants than tap water and helps reduce your reliance on mains supply.

January Winter Foraging and Preserving for Allotment Communities

January may feel quiet on the allotment, but it’s full of hidden winter bounty. From hazel nuts and burdock roots to pine needles and crab apples, there’s plenty to forage and preserve. Discover simple ways to turn these seasonal finds into jams, syrups, oils, and tinctures while sharing tips and swaps with fellow plot holders.

How to Compost and Recycle Your Post-Christmas Waste

The festive season leaves behind more than memories — from leftover food and wrapping paper to cards and trees, Christmas generates a lot of waste. With a little sorting, composting, and recycling, you can turn this seasonal excess into valuable resources for your garden and start the New Year on a greener note.

Growing Connections on the Allotment This January

January is the perfect time to grow connections—with nature, your food, and your community. Observe wildlife, start indoor seeds, and enjoy safe winter foraging. For practical tasks this month, see our January Allotment Jobs Checklist

2025 - A Year of Growth, Wellbeing and Celebration for The Nas

2025 has been a landmark year for the National Allotment Society (NAS), with highlights including National Allotments Week, the Top of the Plots competition, new training and resources, welcoming Adam Frost as Ambassador, and launching a Compliance Committee. The approval of the Five-Year Strategy sets the direction for membership, site protection, and growth. NAS looks forward to supporting members, protecting allotments, and celebrating the joys of growing your own in 2026.

Gardening Myths True or False?

From banana peels and nettle tea to milk sprays and moon-phase planting, gardeners have long relied on old wives’ tales. This article explores popular gardening myths, revealing which ones actually work, which are harmless traditions, and which are best left behind.

Frosty Fun on the Allotment This Winter Break

Keep kids busy this winter holiday with fun outdoor adventures on the allotment. Explore wildlife, play in the frost, and enjoy hands-on nature activities for the school break.

Where Our Hidden Helpers Go During Winter

Even in the quiet of winter, your allotment is far from empty. Many of the insects that supported your plot all year—ladybirds, hoverflies, lacewings and more—are still here, sheltering in hidden corners. Winter is just their pause, not their disappearance. Look a little closer, and you’ll discover your hidden helpers are still working behind the scenes, ready to burst back into action come spring.

Allotment Recycling Made Simple

Allotments are full of opportunities to reuse and recycle. From plastic bottles and cardboard to jars and old pallets, everyday items can be repurposed to save money, reduce waste, and boost creativity on your plot. Here are some simple ideas to get started.

December Foraging

Even in the heart of winter, the woods and hedgerows are full of surprises. Hunt for hardy mushrooms, bright rosehips, hawthorn berries, and the last chestnuts of the season, or gather pinecones, holly, and twigs to craft festive, woodland-inspired decorations. Wrap up warm, embrace the crisp air, and let December’s wild bounty bring flavour, colour, and a touch of magic to your home.

December Gardening Checklist

December is a good month for tidying, digging when soil allows, protecting crops, checking stored veg, planting bare-root fruit, and cleaning greenhouses. Keep brassicas netted, continue broad bean sowings under cover, watch for pests, and support winter wildlife. Use this quieter time to plan next year’s plot, order seeds, and maintain tools.

Soil the Sleeping Giant Beneath Your Allotment

We focus on seeds, pests, and harvests… but the real magic happens underground. This winter, give your soil some TLC — feed it, mulch it, and let worms and microbes do their work. Healthy soil now means abundant crops next season.

Simple Ways to Protect Your Allotment from Frost

Frost can damage late-season crops and young plants. Mulch, cloches, cold frames, and windbreaks help protect plants and soil, keeping your allotment productive through winter. Read on to find out more.

Small Space Big Harvest with Container Gardening

Container gardening is perfect for patios, balconies and smaller allotments, allowing you to grow more with less space. With the right containers and compost, veg, herbs, berries, and even dwarf fruit trees can thrive in pots. Small spaces really can deliver generous harvests all year round.

November Foraging

November is prime time for foraging nuts and mushrooms. Look for hazelnuts, sweet chestnuts, and walnuts, all rich in nutrients and perfect for roasting, baking, or snacking. Mushrooms such as chanterelles, oyster mushrooms, puffballs, and field mushrooms thrive in the damp, cool conditions, but always ensure correct identification before eating. Harvest responsibly, taking only what you need, and leave plenty for wildlife.

November Gardening Checklist

In November, focus on tidying and protecting your allotment. Clear spent crops, fork and mulch beds, and harvest hardy vegetables such as cabbage, Brussels sprouts, leeks, and parsnips. Plant garlic, overwintering onions, and spring bulbs, sow or transplant broad beans and lettuces under protection, and insulate tender greenhouse plants.

Do You Need Insurance on an Allotment?

Accidents happen — a visitor trips, property is damaged, or a tool slips. Insurance protects individuals and associations from costly claims, giving you peace of mind to enjoy your allotment and support your community. The bottom line: yes, you need insurance.

Growing Food Security Through Allotments

Allotments grow more than food — they grow food security, healthier diets, and stronger communities.

Should You Winterise an Allotment?

As autumn fades, it’s tempting to leave your plot until spring — but winterising is about protecting your soil, retaining nutrients, and preparing for next year’s growth. Discover how no-dig methods, mulching, and green manures can keep your allotment healthy through winter and ready to thrive when the warmer days return.

What is an Allotment?

An allotment is a small rented plot where you can grow your own fruit, vegetables, and flowers. They’re great for anyone who loves gardening or wants to try it out, offering fresh air, good food, and a strong sense of community.

Fun Things to Do with Kids on the Allotment This Autumn

Discover fun and easy ways to keep kids busy on the allotment this autumn half term! From digging up pumpkins and making mud pies to crafting scarecrows, building bee baths, and creating wildlife havens, these hands-on ideas will spark curiosity, creativity, and a love for nature. Wrap up warm, grab your wellies, and head to the plot for some outdoor family fun!

Your October Foraging Guide

October hedgerows and woodlands are full of autumn bounty. Gather chestnuts, bullace, crab apples, sloes, rosehips, hazelnuts, and walnuts for roasting, preserves, and warming drinks.

Your October Gardening Checklist

October is a month for harvesting pumpkins, squashes, potatoes, and leeks, sowing hardy crops like spinach, kale, and broad beans, and planting spring cabbage, onions, garlic, and rhubarb crowns. Mulch beds, tidy paths, protect greenhouse plants, and leave seedheads for birds while preparing your allotment for winter.

From Plot to Packet: A Gardener’s Guide to Seed Saving

Save seeds from your own vegetables to cut costs, preserve varieties, and grow crops perfectly suited to your garden—seed saving is simple, rewarding, and something any gardener can master.

Allotments for Everyone: Are Smaller Plots the Way Forward?

Traditional allotments are big—about 250–300 m²—and need 4–8 hours a week. But with demand soaring, 76% of councils now offer smaller plots, needing just 1–4 hours. For busy lives, that flexibility could be the future: a mix of full, half, and micro-plots so more people get growing.

Living with Badgers on Your Allotment

Badgers roam allotments year-round – digging for grubs in winter and raiding crops in summer. With a few smart deterrents, you can protect your harvest and keep your plot thriving alongside these iconic visitors.

September Foraging

As autumn arrives, September brings a shift from sweet summer berries to nuts, seeds, and richly flavoured fruits. Foraging isn’t just about gathering—it’s about transforming these seasonal finds into comforting, nourishing dishes.

Your September Allotment Checklist

Harvest, sow, and prep your allotment to stay productive through autumn and into spring

Protect Your Patch – Fraud Prevention in the Allotment Community

Tending an allotment means staying prepared and tackling anything that looks out of place — and the same mindset helps protect us from fraud. Read on to find out how.

Safe & sound on your allotment: Top 10 tips to avoid injuries

Your allotment should be pure joy — but all that digging and lifting is a workout, and without care, it can lead to aches and strains. Read on for tips to stay safe, injury-free, and enjoying your plot.

Allotments and Wellbeing A Green Space for Healing and Hope

Milton Phillips found healing and community at his Grove Park allotment after retiring and facing prostate cancer. His story shows how allotments boost wellbeing and bring people together.

Is your allotment a pain in the backside?

Physiotherapist Paul Hattam marks National Allotments Week by exploring how tending a plot can boost health, happiness, and community. Drawing on fresh survey results, he reveals why time outdoors isn’t just enjoyable — it’s good for mind and body alike.

August Foraging

Berries, nuts, and herbs are bursting ripe this August! From juicy blackberries to fragrant yarrow, now’s the time to gather, snack, and savor nature’s late-summer treats.

August Gardening Checklist

August is the month when your hard work truly pays off. Plots are overflowing with produce, but this is no time to relax—cool, damp nights can lead to rot and disease. Keep on top of watering, feeding, and clearing spent crops to keep everything thriving through the late summer.

From Garden to Grill a Homegrown Summer Feast

Celebrate the height of the growing season with a fresh and flavour-packed allotment BBQ. From tender broad beans to vibrant courgettes and fragrant herbs, this seasonal feast turns your summer harvest into ten simple, delicious recipes to share with family and friends.

Are There Laws Governing Allotments?

If you’ve ever wondered “Are there laws governing allotments?”—the answer is yes. Across the UK, allotments are protected by legislation that defines the rights of plot holders and the responsibilities of councils. This guide explains how the law works in England, Scotland, and Wales, covering tenancy rights, waiting lists, and other legal considerations like GDPR, health and safety, and land law.

Grow with Confidence – How to Get Started on an Allotment

You’ve finally reached the top of the waiting list and been offered a plot—exciting news after months (or even years) of dreaming about growing your own food. But now that it’s real, you might be wondering… where do you actually start?

How to Care for Your Allotment During a Hosepipe Ban

With hot weather and water restrictions in place, it’s more important than ever to garden wisely. While hosepipes and sprinklers are usually off-limits during a ban, there are still plenty of ways to keep your plot thriving

Fun Things to Do with Kids on the Allotment This Summer

The summer holidays are a great time to get children involved in gardening. Allotments are full of life, colour, and discovery—perfect for hands-on fun and learning.There are plenty of simple, educational activities to keep kids active and inspired all summer long.

July Foraging Guide

July is when the British countryside hits its stride — fields are full, hedgerows ripen, and wild herbs flower freely. While early blooms like meadowsweet linger, fruits like elderberries and wild plums begin to appear, hinting at the harvest ahead.

July Gardening Checklist

July is hot and busy—water and feed crops, lift shallots, plant winter brassicas, sow salads in shade, thin roots, mulch fruit trees, watch for pests, ventilate greenhouses, and harvest early crops like beans and strawberries.

20 Perennial Vegetables to Grow for a Low-Maintenance, High-Yield Plot

Discover 20 perennial vegetables that grow back year after year with minimal effort. From rhubarb and asparagus to lesser-known gems like Good King Henry and walking onions, these resilient crops offer long-term harvests, improve soil health, and reduce garden chores—making them perfect for low-maintenance, sustainable gardening.

Should You Remove All Weeds from Your Allotment Garden?

Not all weeds are pests. Some feed pollinators, improve soil—or even make a good lunch. Learn how to spot, manage, and use common UK allotment weeds.

June Foraging

June brings a burst of wild flavours and florals, from honeysuckle and wild rose to white mustard and wood sorrel. It’s the perfect time to explore nature’s kitchen, gather responsibly, and enjoy the wellbeing benefits of foraging in full bloom.

June Gardening Checklist

June brings early harvests and active summer planting. Stay alert for pests and late frosts, and keep up with essential maintenance. Here's your allotment checklist for the month.

How to Support Climbing and Bushy Plants on Your Allotment

Give your allotment plants the support they need to thrive. From climbing beans to bushy dahlias, this guide explores traditional and modern ways to keep plants healthy, upright, and productive using trellises, obelisks, circular supports, and more.

How Much Time Does an Allotment Really Take?

We’ve been honest—it's not always easy. But stick with it, and an allotment can be one of the most rewarding things you do. Growing your own food, connecting with nature, and sharing the highs and lows with fellow plot-holders brings a deep sense of satisfaction—along with real physical and mental health benefits.

Foraging in May – Discover Edible Wild Plants and Their Benefits

May brings nature’s vibrant burst of life, offering a rich bounty of wild, edible plants. From the delicate hawthorn flowers to the flavourful red clover, this month provides a diverse range of flavours and textures perfect for foraging. Here's your guide to some of the best wild plants to seek out in May, along with their health benefits:

May Gardening Checklist

May brings warmer weather and growth in full swing. Sow and plant key crops, protect from late frosts, and watch for pests. Read on for more tips!

10 Simple Budget Tips Every Allotment Gardener Can Use

Looking to cut costs on your allotment? These 10 easy tips will help you garden smarter without breaking the bank.

Small Plots, Big Impact: How Allotments Help Save the Environment

Allotments are vital urban green spaces that support biodiversity, reduce carbon emissions, and manage rainwater. However, allotment land has decreased by 65% over the past 50 years, with the greatest losses in deprived areas. Protecting these spaces is essential for climate resilience and preserving wildlife.

April Foraging

April is a great time for foraging, with wild plants like cow parsley, garlic mustard, and wild garlic offering fresh, nutritious flavours. These plants are packed with vitamins and minerals, perfect for soups, butters, and more.

Your April Allotment Checklist

April brings longer days and warmth, but beware of late frosts. Prepare soil, plant key crops, and protect young plants. Read on for more tips!

Growing Vegetables in Scotland

Scotland’s cool climate may be challenging, but many vegetables thrive here. With the right techniques, Scottish gardeners can enjoy fresh, homegrown produce year-round.

Best Crops for First-Time Allotmenteers

Starting your first allotment is an exciting journey, and choosing the right crops can make all the difference. For beginners, it’s best to focus on plants that are easy to grow, low-maintenance, and productive. Here are some of the best crops to get you started

Top Ten Tips for Beginning an Allotment

Taking on an allotment is exciting but can feel overwhelming, especially with an overgrown plot. This guide covers the essentials, from choosing and clearing a plot to planting and maintenance.

March Foraging

As spring arrives, wild plants and mushrooms begin to thrive, offering a wealth of foraging opportunities. Here’s a guide to popular foraged plants and mushrooms, with ideas for their culinary and medicinal uses.

Your March Gardening Checklist

March marks the start of spring, making it the perfect time to sow seeds, plant vegetables, and prepare your garden. Focus on tasks like planting strawberries, protecting fruit trees from frost, and starting greenhouse crops.

12 Reasons Home-Grown Food is the Better Option

Home-grown food means complete control over quality, freshness, and sustainability. Discover why growing your own is the best choice for your health, wallet, and the planet.

Your February Gardening Checklist

Make the most of February by tidying up, planning crops, and starting early sowings under cover. Sow broad beans, cauliflowers, and hardy annuals, lift root vegetables, and prep for spring. Get ready for a productive season ahead!

From Soil to Soul How Allotments Boost Well-being and Community

Allotments have long been cherished as a space for growing food, enjoying fresh air, and cultivating a connection with nature. However, their value extends far beyond just being a patch of land for gardening.

Winter Wellness

As the days grow colder and shorter, it’s tempting to retreat indoors and hibernate until spring. However, what if stepping outside could be the key to feeling better, both mentally and physically?

Waste Not Want Not with These Tasty Christmas Leftover Ideas

Christmas leaves plenty of leftovers, from turkey to peelings. With a bit of creativity, you can turn them into delicious treats. Here are some ideas to make the most of your festive scraps

Helping Wildlife and Your Allotment Thrive This Winter

Winter is a great time to help local wildlife thrive while benefiting your allotment. By supporting wildlife, you can improve pollination, reduce pests, and create a healthier environment for your crops

Starting Your Organic Allotment

A Guide by The National Allotment Society

Five steps to Hot Composting

Speed up your composting and kill pests and weeds

Embracing butterflies and moths in your allotment

An article by The Butterfly Conservation supporting our National Allotments Week theme - Biodiversity

Building Biodiversity into our Allotments

NAS ambassador Zoe Claymore's guide to embrace biodiversity on the allotment

Membership Fee Increases

NAS membership fees increases in January 2025

Show-off celery

David Allison explains how to grow celery for show

No dig on allotments

No dig pioneer Charles Dowding explains the fundamentals of no dig

Seasonal composting

How to keep your compost bin snug and speed up composting

Asian hornet watch

Learn how to identify Asian hornets and how to report sightings

Cauliflower power

5 amazing cauliflowers to grow that are worth the effort

Design a children's allotment

Tips and tricks for creating a children's area on your allotment

Plot your allotment on the map

Help to make allotment data the best it can be.

Winter warmers

Spice up your meal times with delicious recipes from Erin

Water - what you need to know

All you need to know about the water supply fittings regulations 1999

New NAS Ambassador

Meet multi-award-winning garden designer Zoe Claymore

Spiky allotment friends

Tips for helping hedgehogs and wildlife on your allotment

NSALG Blog Pages

NSALG Blog