The attraction of allotments to grow your own

WITH reference to the interesting article about the decline in the number of local authority allotments in cities, there are still plenty of allotment sites in former industrial areas of Barnsley, Doncaster and Mansfield, where the demand for growing fruit and vegetables in these former mining communities has always been strong.

In areas where there is a long waiting list, and due to the current economic climate, this list for allotments will only increase or “grow”.

Local authorities can easily, and cost effectively, convert areas of green open space to allotment plots.

The main cost will be for a clean water supply, securing the site by fencing the perimeter, drainage of low areas, hard standing for access to plots and rotovating areas to give keen gardeners a good start.

Councils are collecting record amounts of green waste from households which is shredded and composted, producing a ‘‘small mountain’’ of rich compost which is free and can be used to improve the quality of the soil on green open spaces.

Let’s get growing our own fresh fruit and vegetables which provides some exercise and better wellbeing, and contribute to local food security.

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James Mitchinson

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