Allotment Gardens - Learning About Urban Community Gardening

Allotment gardening, also known as community gardening, has been growing in popularity over the past several years, especially in urban areas where access to fresh produce can be limited. Allotment gardens allow city and apartment dwellers to enjoy the benefits of gardening and foster a spirit of community. The benefits of community gardens are many. Read on to learn how so many people are starting to use community gardens.

The Benefits of Community Gardens

Allotment gardens have many benefits, for both the gardener and the community, and as a result, the increase in community gardens is not surprising. These benefits include:

• Fresh Food - Many, many studies have shown the shorter the distance between harvest and table, the better the food is for you. If you cannot grow food in your home, a garden allotment will allow you to grow healthy fruits and vegetables for yourself.
• Land Reclamation - Community gardening often takes place on lots that have been abandoned or are ignored. Without development, these lots attract garbage and crime. But one of the benefits of community gardens is that these lots become productive and safe areas.
• Friendships - Gardeners, by nature, are a giving group. When allotment gardening happens, it places a large number of gardeners with a common interest in a small area. Friendships and deep bonds are bound to happen.

Where Are Community Gardens Located?

So now that you know a little more about community gardening, you may be wondering about where you can get your own garden allotment. The best places to start are:

• Local botanical societies
• Local gardening clubs
• Local master gardeners
• Local extension services

Every area has one of these groups, and while these groups themselves may not run an allotment gardening program, there is a very strong likelihood that they will know a group that does and be able to direct you to that group. The internet can also be a big help in finding community gardening groups. By simply typing in your neighborhood, city or major metropolis area combined with the words “community garden” or “allotment gardening,” you can find information on community gardens in your area. Just because you live in an area where a garden at your home is not feasible does not mean that you cannot have a garden. Allotment gardens can allow you to have the garden that you dream of. And you never know, you may find that community gardening lets you find the community you always dreamed of too.