Tending an allotment can bring benefits to your physical and mental health. They are a great way to get out and about, invest your time and energy into working the plot, harvesting your crops, and taking time to stop and notice the wildlife that can thrive on an allotment site.

More and more people are moving away from using pesticides and herbicides, instead choosing to work their plots organically, an approach encouraged by the parish council.

Some suggested reading, to learn more about encouraging biodiversity and wildlife at allotment sites:

Allotments and Biodiversity, gardening in harmony with nature – a really informative booklet compiled by Glasgow Allotments Forum and the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society

Wildlife on allotments – produced by Natural England

Nesting birds and protecting wildlife habitats – alongside the need to maintain allotments to be productive and not a nuisance to others, keeping an allotment gives a brilliant opportunity to preserve wildlife habitats and encourage the birds, bees and other pollinators who help crops to grow and help to control pests. Allotment tenants are asked to take particular care when cutting hedges, especially in the main nesting season from March to August, to help protect nesting birds. More information from the RSPB at this link.