Our theme for August is 'Allotments'
An allotment is an area of land, leased either from a private or local authority landlord, for the use of growing fruit and vegetables. It is traditionally measured in rods (perches or poles), an old measurement dating back to Anglo-Saxon times. 10 poles is the accepted size of an allotment, the equivalent of 250 square metres or about the size of a doubles tennis court.
If you have been inspired by the exhibits at this month’s Worcester Show you may be interested in the allotment communities that are available locally or nationwide. Visit Worcester Allotment Forum on www.worcesterallotments.org.uk
Monday 13th to Sunday 19th August is National Allotment Week. This year’s theme is “Living and Growing” a celebration of all the hard work put in by voluntary association management committees, plot-holder volunteers and councils managing, creating, developing and safeguarding allotment sites.
This year’s theme highlights the importance of growing your own food and the Society would like to see everyone incorporating fruit and vegetable gardening in some way in to their lives; however small.
Herbs on a balcony, an apple tree on a patio, strawberries in hanging baskets or tomatoes in a big pot by the back door – ripe and ready to pop in a salad. Growing at home can help people on allotment waiting lists hone their horticultural skills and raises awareness for children of how and where their food is produced.
Want to know some of the benefits of having an allotment? Check out this page from the National Allotment Society.
Just starting out?
Some links for this month ...
Information about National Allotment Week – from the National Allotment Society.
A history of allotments in Britain, from the Allotment Garden website.
A corny allotment joke.
Why allotments are important, from Green Lane Allotments.