National Allotment Week
National Allotment Week started in 2002 as a way of raising awareness of allotments and the role they play in helping people to live healthier lifestyles, by growing their own food, developing friendships and bolstering communities. The theme for 2023 is 'Shared Harvest' which aims to celebrate people who own plots and share it with their friends and families.
Many of the estates we manage across the UK have allotments within their grounds, whether it be raised beds and a greenhouse, a large vegetable patch, or a smaller area off the patio; our Estate Managers and residents have been hard at work maintaining these plots and growing a variety of fresh produce for everyone to enjoy.
Our team have sent in some great photos of the allotments this year, and some of our residents were kind enough to share their thoughts and comments on the value of growing your own and what they enjoy about having an allotment:
One of our estates in Tunbridge wells has been growing; kale, cabbages, spinach, spring onions, radishes, sweetcorn, carrots, and potatoes this year, which marks the second year of their allotment. Two residents who manage the plot said:
“We started our vegetable plot for the residents, so they could enjoy fresh produce from our own garden, our thinking behind it was that the residents did not need to buy from the shop when it’s produced by ourselves, saving a little money for them. All the residents are very pleased with what we are doing and producing, plus the fact that its healthy living” – Barry
“David and Barry look after the plot and sowing the seeds & plants. It’s been looking good, with the sweetcorn and potatoes coming on” – David
We also had some lovely comments from those who live at the estate, who get to enjoy watching the plants grow (and eating them when they’re ready!):
“Our allotment, which started as an ‘experiment’ has proved to be a great success. From growing a few items last year, Barry and David have expanded the plot to grow even more. It is so lovely to watch things grow, but even nicer to have fresh veg picked - and we can cook them the same day. A boon if we can’t get any for any reason!” – Pam
“I feel so lucky, having left my home to come here, (leaving my garden after 46 years), that I have access to lovely fresh produce, thanks to our wonderful gardeners, they certainly make full use of the allotment provided, what a treat!” - Beryl
“The allotment has many benefits for us, first, fresh fruit and vegetables, social time together, helping us to realise how the temperature of our planet is changing. So, from the allotment to us – 1 hour is the longest it takes. So fresh, healthy, tasty and delicious – a winner!” – Mrs Shilling
In the UK, there are roughly 330,000 allotments, and the popularity of “grow-your-own” has caused a boom in demand for these spaces. We are really pleased to be able to offer these outdoor spaces to our residents, enabling them to get involved with growing their own at their estates.
At one of our estates in Warnham, Estate Manager Tom and the residents have set up an allotment with raised beds and many container plants. This year they have grown; early & main crop potatoes, courgettes, onions, runner beans, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, brussel sprouts, radishes, and pak choi – more than enough to share around the estate.
An allotment can easily produce enough food to supplement your weekly shop with fresh fruit and vegetables throughout the year if it is properly managed. You can find tips on how to manage an allotment on the Royal Horticultural Society’s website here
Here are some great photos of their allotment and all the produce they have harvested so far; we are sure there will be lots more to come!
Set amongst meadowland, with a large greenhouse and outdoor raised beds; the residents at one of our managed estates in Richmond have grown courgettes, tomatoes and runner beans so far. The estate even has a couple of resident beehives, which are key for pollinating the plants, and they are thriving with the vast biodiversity at the estate.
With the theme of ‘shared harvest’ this year, the residents share their produce with others who live at the estate, and Estate Manager Garry has also been lucky to receive some fresh runner beans.
Another of our managed estates in Petersfield has had a successful allotment for a number of years, with two raised beds constructed at the beginning of 2020, just before the pandemic.
Resident Michael, who manages the allotment along with four others, said:
“Over the past three years, we have had a try at growing potatoes, runner beans, dwarf French beans, radishes, beetroot, peas, courgettes and tomatoes, all with varying degrees of success thanks to the changeable British weather and the seemingly ravenous slugs! Flowers have included cornflowers, daisies, lavenders, wildflowers, sweet peas, daffodils and tulips. It has been so lovely, especially when you live in an apartment on the second floor, to be able to come down and spend an hour or two just pottering, sowing, weeding, and chatting to one's neighbours.
Apart from the obvious benefits of fresh air, gentle exercise, a focus and most importantly the chance to interact with other people, it is great to be able to share any surplus produce with other residents, who might not be in a position to do any gardening or growing themselves.”
There are so many benefits to growing your own and there are lots of ways to get involved with National Allotment Week; you could sign up for a local gardening class, invite your neighbours and friends to a seed and plant swap. It's also a great way to get some exercise and connect with your neighbours.
We hope that National Allotment Week will encourage lots of people to consider the benefits of growing their own, and even try their hand at gardening. Lots of our managed estates already have big plans for next years allotments, whether it is extending the plot further to grow even more, switching it up and growing flowers, or moving raised beds and pots around. We are looking forward to what another year will bring, and all the great produce our residents can enjoy.
Great work to all our gardeners!
