Allotments and community gardens: a shared love of growing things

By David Ashton

When you travel through England, especially in the suburbs or towns, you’ll often spot rows of tidy little garden plots tucked behind fences – these are allotments, part of a system that’s been around for centuries. 

Allotments began in the 18th century as small plots of land rented to working people so they could grow their own food. They really took off after both World Wars, when growing your own vegetables was a matter of national importance. Even today, many English councils are legally required to provide allotments if residents request them.

Each plot is privately tended, though they’re part of a shared site – think of it as dozens of backyard vegie patches in one place – but everyone is responsible for their own plot.

The traditional British allotment is about 250 square metres in size – considerably larger than the plots in our own community garden; but due to demand and changing lifestyles, half allotments (around 125 square metres) are now common, especially in cities. These plots are large enough for vegetables, fruit, and small sheds or greenhouses.

Now, contrast that with community gardens here in Victoria. Ours are a more recent development, mostly springing up from the 1970s onwards. As with the Ashburton Community Garden, they’re usually on council or donated land and managed by local groups. Like our garden, many of them offer individual plots, but others are shared spaces where people garden together.

While English allotments focus on personal food production, Victorian community gardens often have a broader purpose: social connection, sustainability and education. You might find composting workshops, school groups learning about vegies, or neighbours simply chatting over the tomatoes.

Despite the differences, both systems reflect a common urge – to dig, grow, and connect with nature and others. Whether in a picturesque English village or in leafy Ashburton, the joy of tending a garden still brings people together.