The gardening bug takes root…

Allotment gardening is experiencing a renaissance. According to the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners, waiting lists for allotments in the UK have rocketed from 13,000 people for 297,000 plots in 1996 to nearly 87,000 people for 152,000 plots today. That’s an average of 57 people waiting for every 100 plots today. And with only 939 new plots created across the entire country last year, representing just 1% of people on waiting lists, nothing seems to be changing.

The NSALG report that many gardeners might have to wait 40 years for a plot, and it could take 100 years for supply to meet demand.

• In Camden 960 people are waiting for 195 plots, on a waiting list of 40 years.

• In Poole 900 people are waiting for 423 plots. In comparison to the national average 175 people are waiting for every 100 plots.

• In Islington 269 people are waiting for 60 plots. The council closed its waiting list 5 years ago.

• In Richmond 800 people are waiting for 2000 plots.

Allotments officer for Richmond council Pete Lewis said: “We might get one plot coming available every two years – so if you’ve got 40 people, they’ll be waiting 80 years. Our list is growing by 50 to 60 people each month. I’d like to shut the list, keeping it open gives false hope.”

Fruit and vegetable seeds are also outselling flower seeds for the first time in decades. Last year 78% of seeds sold by B&Q were for edible plants, with just 22% for flowers. Ten years ago 70% of its seed sales were for flowers.

The plot to save Britain

So why the sudden rush to grow your own? Being self-sufficient can not only save you money, but it also produces more food for less money in the long-term. Organic food campaigns highlighting the harm of processed foods and unhealthy eating have also led more people to take up their trowels.

Local residents dig in to the community growing corner at Fortune Street Park in Islington

Gardening is good for your physical and mental health, facilitates social interaction, and creates a sense of pride, self-esteem and determination. The enthusiasm of popular TV chefs has also reconnected the public and especially families with where food comes from.

Lastly, locally-grown food reduces waste, tackles CO2 emissions, and reduces flooding and food miles. In 2009 the UN announced that food production needs to increase by 50% by 2030 to cope with rising demand. And with Britain currently relying largely on food imports from abroad, there is a growing need for a secure and sustainable food system.

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