The three Ws of allotments: Well Worth Waiting for!

Did you know that allotments sometimes open to the public? As we head into September, keep an eye out for Autumn Shows as these are a great opportunity to see for yourself why so many people want allotments and to decide whether life on the allotment is for you.

My personal pick is the Golf Course Allotments in Haringey, north London, which is welcoming the public to its Autumn Show on Sunday, 7 September, in conjunction with the National Garden Scheme.

In my opinion, this site is a great showcase for allotments. Even if you have no ambitions in this direction, the Autumn Show is great fun. It’s always entertaining to see who has won a prize for best ‘unusual’ vegetable (amazing how many rude carrots there are), biggest marrow, or an arrangement of dazzling dahlias. On top of that, there’s also a refreshments tent where you can experience the best of homemade cakes.

Random encounter

I first found out about the allotments by chance eight years ago, having advertised a pile of unwanted decking on a neighbourhood website. A young couple responded as they wanted to create raised planting areas and build a shed on their newly acquired allotment. They didn’t have a garden, so this plot was their only access to personal green space. I subsequently took up their suggestion of combining a visit to their plot with the Autumn Show. It was gratifying to see how they had so cleverly repurposed the decking to create a beautiful planting space, and to hear that they had even entered some vegetables in the show’s competition. Their excitement was contagious.

I was also struck by the size and the tranquillity of the place. At nearly seven acres, the allotments are situated in a very green and quiet corner of London. In contrast to so many allotments that you see by the side of railways and busy roads, they are bordered by the Muswell Hill Golf Course, a patch of ancient woodland called Bluebell Wood, and two leafy residential roads.

Green energy

A visit to the allotments in early September is particularly lovely because so many crops are waiting to be harvested. At this time of year, you will see trees laden with apples, pears and quince, and the bushes will be dripping with redcurrants, blackberries, raspberries, and blackcurrants. The plots will be packed with vegetables of every description, and there will be loads of beautiful flowers: huge swathes of bright yellow sunflowers, florescent dahlias, Verbena bonariensis, to name just a few.

There’s something very positive and almost healing about the allotments; seeing how plot holders have really got stuck into something they enjoy is restorative and calming; the allotments exude green energy.

The benefits of allotments

Although over 30,000 Londoners are on waiting lists for a plot, three people I spoke to would say it’s well worth the wait. All of them have a plot at the Golf Course Allotments. One lady, Jane*, who is well into her eighties, has been working her space for over 20 years. She tends her allotment most days and particularly enjoys the monthly lunches at which plot holders come together. Having an allotment keeps her agile and sharp, and clearly gives her a sense of purpose. Like the couple who first introduced me to the allotments, her joy at being a grower is palpable.

Kate*, who is 75, took on her plot with her husband in 2008 after spending eight years on the waiting list. Back then, she was 58 and still working full time but her husband had taken early retirement. Kate, who describes herself as an all-year-round gardener, is at her allotment whatever the weather and grows every vegetable you can think of along with fruit and flowers. Aside from just wanting to grow wonderful fruit and veg, she loves being in such a peaceful place, especially during the week when fewer plot holders are around. ‘You can be beavering away and not see or hear anyone else.’ But she has also made lots of friends over the years and, despite being an expert, is constantly picking up incredible tips from other plot holders.

At the tender age of 47, Paul* is one of the younger plot holders and shares the space with his wife. It was his wife’s idea to get a plot as she felt they should be eating healthy food. After waiting around six years, they were allocated a plot a couple of years ago. Despite both working full time and having children, they try to get to the plot every week. Their focus is solely on vegetables, and it makes them both very happy that nearly everything on their dinner table, from the salad to the ingredients in a sauce, has come from their allotment. (I felt a bit envious when I heard this!)

But the benefits of the allotment for Paul and his wife go beyond access to healthy food. They really enjoy doing something together that is outside of work and the kids and have even made some new friends. Their year-round allotment schedule that involves planting seeds at home, preparing the land, planting, watering and harvesting provides them with a positive focus and improves their wellbeing. ‘It’s an effort but also relaxing as it reduces stress.’

And, yes, he’s thinking about entering the Autumn Show.

*Names have been changed.

Planning a visit: The Golf Course Allotments can be found at Winton Avenue, London, N11 2AR, they open from 13:00 – 16:30 on 7 September. Tickets cost £5 for adults and can be booked here or you can just turn up and pay on the day. Note that cash is needed for tea and lunches. The closest train station is Alexandra Palace, and there are buses from Bounds Green and East Finchley tube stations.

CPRE London campaigns: More than 30,000 Londoners are on waiting lists for allotments, which is one of the reasons why getting space for London to grow more of its own food is one of our top ten priorities that we campaign for as part of our More Natural Capital Coalition. However, allotments are often under threat from development. Read about how CPRE London helped save Park Road Allotments in west London here.