Things to Plant
Things to Pick
Most people will have some questions before they take on an allotment. Some of the most common are answered below but if you have any other queries please get in touch.

How long will I have to wait?
The waiting list for an allotment on the Free Lane site has been closed to new applicants for the foreseeable future because of the high number of people waiting. We will announce on here when the list has been re-opened. The council managed sites on Kirk Hill and Prinny Hill are still open and applications can be made by following the link on the left-hand side of this page.

How much does it cost?
The only easily predictable cost of having an allotment is the site rent. This is currently less than 50p per square metre so a larger plot will be more expensive to keep than a smaller one. The initial costs can be quite high but sheds, greenhouses and tools etc. will last for years if properly maintained. After those, the ongoing costs can be low, again depending on how much you are prepared to spend. There is a strong culture of reusing and recycling in the allotment community and often one person's rubbish is another's useful building material.

How much time does it take?
An allotment will take as much or as little time as you let it. There also will be more to do in the middle of summer than there will be in the depths of winter. You'll need to allow a couple of hours a week at a minimum but, as before, a larger plot will take more of your time than a smaller one.

It's worth bearing in mind that not keeping your plot maintained can result in having your tenancy ended.

Do I need to know anything about growing?
You do not need to know a thing about growing. There is wealth of information available in books and online for novice growers and other plot-holders can often provide advice and opinions.