Allotments are plots of land rented for gardening purposes, often by local government. They help to address issues such as food availability and security, healthy eating, sustainability, and healthy living – both physical and mental - they also contribute positively to the environment and biodiversity.
This toolkit aims to provide support to Parish Councils and others overseeing allotments in South Cambridgeshire. For more detail on day to day practical advice of owning an allotment, please visit the Royal Horticulture Society’s website.
If you are looking to get an allotment of your own for personal use, please see a list of allotments across South Cambridgeshire. If you are aware of one not on here, please let us know and we will update our records.
Running an allotment
The first step to hosting a successful allotment is to ensure good processes with an active committee. Roles of an allotment committee could include:
- informing plot holders of good allotment practice. For example, creating and upholding site rules and facilitating site security
- engaging with plot holders
- arranging services to the allotments and the paying bills
- nominating a point of contact for plot users if a problem arises
- ensuring that plots are being used to their maximum potential so minimal space is left to waste. This may include creating a waiting list
- coordinating any site maintenance and building work that may be required
- managing allotment fees
- providing necessary insurance for buildings and equipment
- arranging for the group purchase of essentials such as seed and manure.
Cambridge Council for Voluntary Services help provide advice and support on setting up a committee, including ensuring all the current policies are in place. They can be contacted by emailing enquiries@cambridgecvs.org.uk.
Water
Water can often be the difference between success and failure when taking care of an allotment, and can be a significant cost for allotment societies. Cambridgeshire is the driest part of the country and long spells without rain is common. Bringing in your own supplies of water is time-consuming and tedious, and a metered mains water supply is ideal if it is practicable.
Where a mains water supply is available, it should be considered a precious resource and used sensibly. The use of water butts to harvest any rain that does fall should be encouraged where possible.
Having water readily available from multiple outlets on the site will lead to a better uptake of the available plots and encourage a more diverse group of allotment-holders. It can be challenging and expensive to lay on mains water, especially if the allotment is remote from the nearest buildings, but without it, the allotments will be much less productive and attractive to allotment-holders.
Try linking with local farmers or stable owners who can provide a source of well-rotted manure to the site. Using organic compost and mulch will also help retain moisture in the soil, helping to reduce water use.
Pest control
Rabbits are one of the biggest threats to allotment growing and a suitable fence is essential to keep them out. Rabbit fencing is required to be around 1 meter in height and dug into the soil to a depth of 15 to 20cm to stop rabbits form burrowing underneath it. Deer can also pose a threat, and a larger fence will be required to keep them out.
Having an active committee can help stop the spread of pests as quicker action will be possible. Additionally, the committee can organise for the entire site to be fenced off and gated, rather than individual plots, saving plot holders time and money.
Community Engagement
The key to a successful allotment is it being embedded in its community. This could include saving a plot for a local school to have educational lessons on growing food, or holding community events to raise money for the allotments. If there is any excess food produce from the allotment, donations could be provided to a local foodbank. See a list of Foodbanks in South Cambridgeshire for more information
Providing toilets and nappy changing facilities can encourage families with children to become allotment holders. Having an accessible car park and emergency vehicle access ensures that everyone is able to access the allotment.
Supporting nature
There may be a temptation to maximise growing space within the site, but allotments are part of a network of green spaces in towns and villages, providing steppingstones and wildlife corridors. In return, animals can pollinate crops and eat allotment pests.
Areas on site boundaries, particularly hedges, are some of the richest areas for wildlife, especially for pollinators that can help crops to grow. A hedge around the allotment is invaluable as it can deter unwelcome intruders, form a windbreak, and provide habitat and food for insects, birds, mammals. Hedges can also act as green corridors which allow wildlife to move from place to place in relative safety.
You could also discourage use of chemicals for weed and pest suppression, as they can harm beneficial species. Encourage more natural methods like companion planting, natural barriers like netting, and encouraging natural predators like lacewings and ladybirds by providing habitat piles.
Grant funding
We provide a number of grants and funding options for communities. Funding available through external organisations can be found below: