Allotments are part of British cultural history.
Perhaps you have an allotment, small or large. Or perhaps you used to have one until you moved to a different house with a larger garden. Maybe you’re on the waiting list (I hope it’s not too long, some of them are).
This is for you – a small celebration of allotments past and present; home and abroad. A little something to enjoy for National Allotments Week, whether or not you have a plot cultivate.
Allotments – British historical background
Some would say the movement’s roots go back to Anglo Saxon times. Others prefer a nineteenth century philanthropist beginning. Early allotments certainly relate to the enclosures that affected rural populations from the Norman Conquest in 1066 onwards.
From the eighteenth century, there was a desire amongst some of the growing urban population, particularly amongst the artisan classes for more outdoor space for themselves and their families. This was not necessarily for growing their own fruit and vegetables, in some cities, this land took the form of individual leisure gardens. For example, in Birmingham these were provided by local wealthy families and rented out for a guinea – so they became known as ‘Guinea Gardens’.
(For those who like to know these things, a guinea is a pre decimal gold coin worth £1 and 1 shilling. In 1740 it was equivalent to about 2 weeks wages for many working class men. And equates to about £230 in 2025).
Allotment huts were integral to the individual allotment plots. Some of these huts were used for storage and shelter when the family was on the allotment for the day. But others were allotment cottages not sheds, taking on a persona more like todays’ garden summerhouses than a garden shed. These were frequently be a home to families for weekends or even the whole summer long.
During the nineteenth century, the rise of an urban labouring class without land to grow crops and with high food prices to contend with brought many changes. One of these was the provision of plots of land specifically for food production by the family unit. This was finally enshrined in legislation with the 1887 Allotments Act.
Allotments – world-wide
However, the allotment is not merely a British phenomenon. They have been a part of the social and gardening history of many European countries. World-wide, allotment gardens are found in Canada, the USA, Philippines and Russia.
These allotments in the Philippines show a different method of irrigation. Channels, or mini canals of water, fed partly by rainwater from the water butts, flow between raised vegetable beds. This is an efficient method of irrigating many crops, as it directs the water to where it’s most needed – at the root level.
photograph courtesy of Rjholmer
Denmark’s allotment movement largely dates from the late eighteenth century. In other countries such as Germany, the industrialisation of the nineteenth century was the driving force. For the same reasons as for Great Britain, a food hungry, land hungry urban working class. Interestingly, some of these gardens were provided to allow children to play in the open air, for health reasons. Known as the Schreber Movement, allotment gardens are still known as Schrebergarten in German.
This red allotment cottage, with others, can be seen at the Skansen open air museum in Stockholm. The garden showcases cultivation methods and vegetables from the 1920s.
I love this 1910 postcard. Hopefully the plot holders in these allotment gardens in Brandenburg were able to make use of the convenient water supply in the water tower! (postcard courtesy of Bruck & son)
Allotments through the seasons
Most pictures you’ll see of allotments shows them full of spring promise with fruit tree blossom or bursting with produce ready to harvest. But what happens during the winter months? Fair weather gardeners do not normally cultivate allotments, but even a hardened allotmenteer likes a cosy shed and a flask of hot tea when the wind blows. And most bees and pollinators (although not all) hibernate. Frost protection for many overwintering crops will be needed, such as horticultural fleece, hessian, a cold frame or a greenhouse. Heavy rain, floods, strong winds and snow may be more of a problem on allotments – but most have a great community so everyone helps each other to sort the problem.
and finally…
In the UK National Allotments Week takes place during the second week of August. Allotment groups open their gates and share their grow-your-own tips, fruit and vegetables, home-made cakes and freshly laid eggs with the wider public. Check out the National Allotments Society website for details of open allotments near you.
Whatever you do with your garden or allotment have fun, enjoy yourself and if Plews can help you with anything, please do get in touch. For example –
Why not ask about our bespoke Gardening Lessons, where your classroom is actually your own garden – or indeed your allotment? (Yes I have taught beginner gardeners on their new allotment plot!) We can help with both gardening basics and more ‘expert tasks’, carry out worm and other experiments and for example, also show you how to plan a vegetable plot. Have a read through this pdf download for info.
For further gardening advice and inspiration, check out Plews Potting Shed blogs, including the selection below You could come and find us on Instagram Pinterest and Facebook too.
Feeling nosey? You can have a peek at the progress of my garden renovation, Spitfires and Slow Worms, on Instagram and Facebook
You’ll get to see it in person if you come to the Plews Gardening Workshops Current ones on Eventbrite for you to book into. Follow for updates on topics and dates on Plews website, Instagram, Eventbrite, Facebook
Plus get your local garden club, allotment, WI, U3A or other group to ask me along to give a talk (and bring plants 😉)
Related Gardening articles you may enjoy from our Award Winning Blog
Grow Your Own – Tips
Easy Maintenance Edible Gardens
Grow Your Own Vegetables in Rows
Crop Rotation – Growing Methods for Gardeners – there’s a free Rotation chart to download too!
Grow Your Own – Ideas
What is a Vegetable Garden and Why Would You Want One?
National Allotments Week 2018 – Living and Growing
The Allotment – A Pictorial Tour
Garden Inspo
Garden Visits – Kitchen Gardens
