News

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

Welcome to the latest news and articles from The National Allotment Society