Are you one of the quarter of a million people in the UK who is lucky enough to have an allotment?
The popularity of these urban gardens has boomed in recent years as we’ve all become more interested in growing our own food and embracing a more basic style of living.
There’s an estimated 100,000 people on the waiting lists for allotments, and with gardeners loathe to give up such a prized piece of land, it’s easy to fall into the trap of growing the same things, in the same way, year in and year out.
If you’ve decided it’s time to inject some new life into your allotment, here are some things to try.
Quirky Plant Containers
The standard UK allotment is 100 feet by 30 feet, but some are a lot smaller.
Space is limited, especially If you are growing crops which require a lot of room.
Using plant containers makes it a lot easier to move things around in the allotment as required, or even take things home to display in your own garden at certain times of the season.
Wooden pallets can be positioned against your shed to make vertical planters, plastic tubs from supermarkets with holes punched in the bottom make colourful and portable displays for flowers, and you can really get creative with lengths of old guttering fixed to a wall or shed.
Fruit Trees
Many gardeners limit themselves to vegetables and flowers when planting up their allotment, but fruit trees can add a whole new dimension to your garden.
If you have been lucky enough to take over an allotment which already has trees, prune them back regularly and enjoy the harvest in late summer.
Fruit trees and bushes can also be bought in all large garden centres and as fruit such as apples, raspberries or gooseberries are easily frozen, you won’t be landed with a glut of produce you can’t use.
Raised Beds
If you are planning to have your allotment for many years, raised beds can help keep the allotment tidier, and make gardening easier as you won’t be constantly on your knees weeding or planting.
Raised beds can be bought online or from large garden centres, or you can make your own with sleepers and basic DIY skills.
The problem with raised beds is that they aren’t very portable, so you may have to leave them behind when you give up your allotment.
Shed or Summerhouse
One of the best things about an allotment is having a shed, summerhouse, or somewhere you can just relax after a day’s gardening.
Obviously the choice of shed will in a large part be determined by how much space you have available, so measure carefully before going shopping.
Consider security too, break ins to sheds on allotments may be more common than sheds in someone’s garden.
Don’t keep any valuables in the shed, but deckchairs are essential for relaxing on those sunny afternoons in the middle of summer.
