Allotments

Get fit, eat well and make friends!

There are lots of advantages to allotment gardening. Gardening is an ideal form of exercise and many allotments provide a great habitat for wildlife.

Keeping an allotment gives you a chance to grow fresh, healthy food. There are also social, environmental and health benefits to having an allotment. 

How big is an allotment?

The standard plot size is 250 square metres or 300 square yards (30 yards long by 10 yards wide).

Some sites offer half-size plots or mini-plots if you think a standard plot is too big for you.

Ask the site secretary about what plot sizes their site has available.

How much does an allotment cost?

The cost of renting an allotment is different at each site as most sites in Derby are run by allotment associations who set their own rates. However, you can expect to pay between £40 to £70 a year for a full-sized plot.

Can I keep animals, such as chickens or bees, on my allotment?

The Council does not allow animals on the sites it owns. However, some privately-owned allotment sites in Derby do allow some types of animals. Check with the site secretary.

What should I consider before I decide on taking an allotment?

Before you take on an allotment, think about:

• what you want to achieve?
• how much time do you have?
• where will you store your tools?
• who will look after it when you go on holiday?

Once you have found an allotment contact the site secretary to arrange a visit.

You can ask lots of questions about:

• what grows well
• what facilities are available such as on site
• stores and water points
• toilet facilities
• communal meeting rooms.

Do some gardening research

There's a huge selection of gardening books available at local libraries and there’s also plenty of free information available on the internet.

Make a plan

Whatever time of year you take on an allotment plot, you need to be prepared to do some work straight away. In the summer, this might be cutting back weeds or in winter digging the earth over. 

How do I enquire about available allotment plots?

You can contact the allotment sites directly and enquire, see the contact list below. Or you can complete the online enquiry form below and our parks team will reply.

Allotment contact details