Can you use an allotment as a garden?

Whether you are interested in gardening, growing, cooking or indeed eating, tending an allotment is ideal.

What can allotments be used for?

An allotment is an area of land, leased either from a private or local authority landlord, for the use of growing fruit and vegetables. In some cases this land will also be used for the growing of ornamental plants, and the keeping of hens, rabbits and bees.

What should you not do in an allotment?

Can you be self sufficient with an allotment?

Many allotment gardeners use their plot as a way to become more self-sufficient, growing fruit and vegetables for their own kitchen tables. However, it's not uncommon to use some or even all of the plot for flowers instead, particularly for those with a love of gardening who don't have outdoor space at home.

Can I sleep on my allotment?

Tenants may not use their allotment as a place of residence and/or sleep overnight. 5.2 The allotment is rented to the tenant for the purpose of cultivation of herb, flower, fruit and vegetable crops.

10 MISTAKES TO AVOID ON YOUR FIRST ALLOTMENT PLOT / ALLOTMENT GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS

How many hours a week should you keep an allotment?

For an average sized plot, you are looking at around 4-5 working hours a week to keep it properly maintained. Taking on an allotment garden is no small task. For the aspiring vegetablist, a plot presented to them midsummer can be rather overwhelming.

Can I live on my allotment?

The individual gardeners are usually organised in an allotment association, which leases or is granted the land from an owner who may be a public, private or ecclesiastical entity, and who usually stipulates that it be only used for gardening (i.e., growing vegetables, fruits and flowers), but not for permanent ...

Can I sell food from my allotment?

The key legal restriction is contained in the Allotments Act 1922, whereby there is a general prohibition on any “trade or business”1 being conducted on the allotment garden or any part thereof.

What is the law about allotments?

The Allotment Acts gives allotment holders some security of tenure. Their tenancies cannot be terminated unless: at least 12 months' notice to quit has been given to the allotment holder expiring on or before 6 April or on or after 29 September in any year; or.

Can an allotment feed a family?

If managed properly, an allotment can produce enough food to supplement a family's weekly shop, with fresh fruit and vegetables over the year. Allotment gardeners can choose to garden organically and avoid ingesting chemicals that are likely to be present on shop bought fruit and vegetables.

What is the first thing to do in a new allotment?

Clear your plot one section at a time, then you can start planting in the first cleared area sooner. This will give you a good variety of tasks each time you visit your allotment. Dig the soil twice to catch all weed roots, bring air into the ground and aid better drainage. Apply a layer of compost before planting.

Do you get rats on allotments?

Keep your plot tidy and ensure that allotment gardens do not become overgrown or allow rubbish to build up e.g. timber, old carpet, stockpiled materials etc, as this provides cover for rats to live under (harbourage). disease, Salmonella and Leptospirosis among other things and they urinate wherever they go!

Can I put a fence around my allotment?

We do not encourage the use of fencing on allotment plots however should you wish to place fencing around your plot it should be no higher that three to four foot high.

What is the difference between a garden and an allotment?

Allotments are generally understood to be individual plots cultivated for private use, grouped together on a larger parcel of land. A Community Garden is generally a parcel of land which is cultivated by a group together as a whole plot. Most allotments forbid any permanent structures.

Are you allowed to grow flowers on an allotment?

Allotment gardeners may grow vegetables, flowers and fruit on their plot. You should only plant dwarf stock fruit-trees in the middle of your plot, not on the edges where they may cast shade over neighbouring plots.

Do allotments need insurance?

Allotment tenants will need to hold appropriate Public Liability insurance cover (usually covered by home contents insurance). Most policies will usually include Public Liability cover (for claims made against you for injury, or accidental damage to property).

Can I turn my land into allotments?

In summary, whilst the use of agricultural land for allotments will not usually require planning permission, the local planning authority will likely look closely at your use to see if there has been a material change of use which is a question of fact and degree which can be subjective.

What are the allotment laws in the UK?

As a general rule, the letting of allotments is governed by the ordinary law and not by statute. This means that the terms of a tenancy are a matter for agreement between the council and the tenant. However, most councils offer standard terms in a printed document which tenants simply accept.

Who owns allotment land?

Allotment Land Ownership

The land itself is often owned by local government (parish or town councils) or self managed and owned by the allotment holders through an association. Some allotments are owned by the Church of England.

Is it legal to sell vegetables from your garden?

The Allotments Act 1922 has a general prohibition on any "trade or business" being conducted on an allotment. But allotments are allowed to have an allotment shop, which councils tend to regard as fund-raising rather than a business.

How to make money from your allotment?

Can you sell things from your front garden?

Trader's Licences

Many local councils demand that anyone, regardless of how cute they look in pigtails, has a Street Trader's Licence if you're operating on public land. However, if you're operating on private land, then as long as you have the landowner's permission, you do not necessarily need an STL.

Are you allowed a greenhouse on an allotment?

Someone who puts up a shed or greenhouse on an allotment would normally expect it to remain there for many years, so building it would require permission even if it is not attached to the ground.

Can you keep animals on allotments?

Only the registered plot holder is permitted to keep livestock on their allotments plot. When a plot holder ends the tenancy they must have arrangements be in place to remove the livestock and any associated structures at their own cost.

Is an allotment a lot of work?

Yes, there is a lot of work to be done, but be aware of your limits and plan your work accordingly. Whenever you take out an allotment, do it a bit at a time – but never more than you can manage.