Used to combat food shortages throughout history, they have always been useful. So, what are the advantages of them now? 

How many people do you know that have an allotment? An allotment is a piece of land, usually around 250m², which can be rented to grow fruits and vegetables. London has 737 allotment sites in its 32 boroughs. They date back to the 1600s and were incredibly important in combatting food shortages in both world wars, a notable example being the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign in World War 2 when half a million new plots were created to help increase food supply. 

So, what are the benefits of having one? 

Having an allotment allows you to start a new hobby - gardening. It is not only good for your physical health but your mental health too. It allows you to be out in nature, something that is becoming ever harder in an increasingly technological world. Many studies have shown that being outside can decrease stress and stimulate pleasure. Not to mention all the health benefits of gardening. The number of calories burned by a 30-minute gardening session is comparable to jogging or yoga. It is the perfect hobby for increasing your general wellbeing. 

Not only is gardening a fantastic hobby, but it is also a useful one. If an allotment is managed properly, it could even be able to replace a weekly grocery shop. One local allotment user produced 50kg of potatoes, 2 bags of beans, 15 punnets of raspberries and around 100 onions throughout the year. “I have not purchased potatoes or garlic for about two years.” He told me. 

Of course, producing food like this also has a smaller carbon footprint. Food production makes up a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions due to unsustainable farming techniques and transportation from other parts of the world. Just by growing fruit and vegetables in an allotment you would be doing your bit to reduce your impact on the environment. Not only this, but producing it yourself means that you would know what goes into it including chemicals such as pesticides and fertilisers. 

There are clearly many benefits to getting an allotment, so if you ever find yourself wanting to start a new hobby, reduce your grocery expenses or become more sustainable – it is definitely the thing for you.