It's allota fun: How to get started with an allotment
Interest in allotments has surged during the pandemic, with Google searches on the subject increasing by a massive 81 per cent between 2019 and this year.
With many experiencing genuine fear about food supplies during 2020, and others finding themselves out of a job, it's small wonder that more people than ever have wanted to grow their own veg - but it's a trend that's set to continue. And what's not to love about an allotment?
Allotment gardens are the perfect places to grow delicious and sustainable food, to keep healthy, to connect with like-minded people and get back to nature. But, if we're sold, how can we actually get started? Therein lies the catch.
Watch: The top four vegetables you can grow at home
Allotments, notoriously have longer waiting lists than a Hermès handbag. In fact on average, there will be 29 people ahead of you in the queue, and you'll be waiting for around a year, according to new research from Barratt Homes.
You can register to wait for an allotment with your local council, here, and in some areas you might also be able to find private allotments.
But where on earth (or, indeed, in the earth) do you get started if you're lucky enough to get your wannabe green fingers on one?
It can be easy to feel overwhelmed, admits Kirtsy Ward, who has rented her Lincoln allotment for four years and details her green adventures on Instagram.
"The best way to start is to take small spaces, decide what you are going to plant, work on the soil and complete that area before moving onto the next one," she told Yahoo.
"I find this is far more rewarding than looking at the allotment as a whole, as you can see progress happening all of the time."
It's best to start with vegetables and fruits that are easy to grow, and avoid difficult ones such as cauliflower as you get started. "Start by adding fruit bushes like gooseberries, raspberries and blackcurrants as they are easy to grow and basically look after themselves," suggested Ward.
"Really easy vegetables to grow include potatoes, pumpkins, garlic, onions and courgettes. Courgettes and pumpkin are simple to grow from seed and once in the ground outside look after themselves!"
Gardening can be a learning curve, but the best way to get better is to give it a go. You can teach yourself using books and online information, or look for a local horticultural course - and of course the best way to imbibe knowledge is to chat to more experienced gardeners.
That said, an allotment is for life - not just for dreamy summer days. "You do need to make time to visit your allotment weekly, especially during the summer, and watering and weeding are essential to keep on top of," said Ward.
"But you can work on your allotment all year round, so it's a great hobby. During the autumn and winter months, you can prepare your ground for seeds and planting by mulching, removing dead plants and turning the soil.
"I think finding the time can be a downfall for many people, we all have busy lives."
Read more: Why we all want a plot to grow our own
If you can carve out enough time, caring for an allotment can be life-changing. "The allotment offers so much more for us than just a space to garden," said Ward.
"Being out in one is wonderful for our wellbeing and mental health. These spaces not only let us grow wonderful veggies but give us a space to grow, too! Your gardening space will do more for you than you do for it."
Watch this: Starting a vegetable garden can save you money - here's how
