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 ALLOTMENTS
QUICK LINKS Applying for an allotmentStarting an allotment plotOther useful web sites and links Allotment newsContact details
Having an allotment is a healthy outdoor pursuit which can improve your cardiovascular health and lower your stress levels. Allotment gardening also offers you a great way to unwind in the fresh air, with the chance to meet people who share your interests. Growing your own fruit and vegetables means you get really fresh, good tasting seasonal produce. You can choose to grow organically, or grow unusual varieties that are hard to find or expensive in the shops. Growing your own also means that you are doing your bit for the environment, helping to reduce the energy use and pollution from the transport and packaging of shop bought food. Why not find out how satisfying it can be to grow your own food! Nottingham City Council currently manages 3300 allotment plots spread over 50 sites. These sites are split into two different types: Direct Let sites where the City Council manages the site. On these sites, the tenant rents a plot from the Council. Association run sites where an Association manages the site. On these sites, the tenant rents a plot from the Association. Applying for an allotmentContact the Allotment Team and they will send you an information pack which includes a map which shows where the different sites across the City are located. Also included in the pack is list of contacts for the Association run sites.If the site you are interested in is run by an Association, you will need to contact them directly to see if there are vacancies and arrange a time to have a look round the site, or to be put on a waiting list if the site is currently full. A list of contact details can be obtained from the Allotment Team. For a direct let site please contact the Allotments Team directly on 0115 9152729. They will be able to inform you of availability, or place you on a waiting list. If allotment plots are available for rent on the site of your choice, a mutually convenient viewing will be arranged to look at the plots with the Allotment Officer. If you like the plot, we will send you a tenancy agreement which will need to be signed and returned. What is a tenancy agreement?The tenancy agreement is a contract made between you and the council which outlines what is expected from both parties. It is important to read your tenancy agreement as breaking the contract can result in the council regaining tenancy of the allotment plot.How much will it cost?The cost of the plot will vary depending on its size: If the plot has water then it is 11p per sq/yard, if there is no water then it is 6p sq/yard. The average plot, with water, works out about £40 a year.Giving up your allotmentIf you want to give up your allotment, contact the Allotment Team who will cancel your tenancy agreement. If you become ill and cannot look after your allotment, contact the Allotment Officer to discuss ways of managing your allotment until you can garden again.Return to top of the page 
Starting an allotment plotBefore you start cultivating your new allotment, you will need to plan how much time and money you have to spend and, if necessary, consider what help and other resources you may need.Best time to start? Definitely autumn or early winter - give yourself plenty time to clear and prepare beds for the new growing season, and you'll have the time in spring to invest in sowing and tending your crops. On your first visit to your plot, decide what work you need to do to bring it back to cultivation. Adapt your gardening to your abilities and the amount of time you can spend. Your new plot is a weed and bramble infested jungle? Don't worry, most new plots are! Trying to clear it all, in one super-human effort, can be pretty demoralising - better to clear a manageable "bit", and get that working really well. Digging the soil is one of the most physically demanding activities in gardening, as it involves continual bending and straightening of the back while lifting a spadeful of soil. Do a little at a time to prevent back problems. If the plot is overgrown with long grass or weeds such as brambles you may need to use a strimmer or hedge clippers to cut them down. Remember to inform the Allotments Team if you are unable to clear your plot immediately for any reason, or you could risk losing your plot! On weedy plots, plant large leafed crops such as potatoes, courgettes or runner beans, which will smother weeds. You will still need to remove weeds regularly to prevent your crops being overrun by weeds during the first months of cultivation. Some people prefer to use methods of cultivation that do not involve digging. Mulches of compost or thick polythene are perfectly acceptable, as are green manures on fallow ground. The best time for digging is autumn or early winter if you want to be ready for seed sowing in spring. If you dig in compost, manure or the remnants of last year's crop, worms and micro-organisms will break it down over the winter. Start your compost heap! Make it as simple or complicated as you wish, but do get one going - it's good for maintaining fertile and healthy soil. Look at the plots around you - plots with compost heaps are usually the ones with good deep beds bulging over the path edges; plots without compost heaps are often those where the soil has sunk below path level. You can buy a compost bin through the Nottingham City Council scheme. For more details on composting please click here Return to top of the page
Other useful web sites and linksSt Anns Allotments NottinghamThe Allotments and Gardens Council UK The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardens Garden Organic - the new name for the HDRA Allotments UK: A directory of allotment links and information The Royal Horticultural Society Composting information For details of how to buy a compost bin through the Nottingham City Council scheme click here Return to top of the page
Allotment newsWe currently have a high demand for allotments in the City and there is a long waiting list, which is operated on a first come first serve basis. If you are interested in renting a allotment we can put you on the waiting list and we will contact you as soon we have plots available; although it is likely to be after the autumn. Return to top of the page
Contact usAllotment Officer, Woodthorpe Grange, Woodthorpe Drive, Nottingham NG5 4HATel: 0115 9152727. Email: allotment.office@nottinghamcity.gov.uk Allotment Team: 0115 9152729 If you have any comments or enquiries please fill in our Online form. (External link to Nottingham City Council Website) To report a problem please complete our on-line form. (External link to Nottingham City Council Website) Return to top of the page
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