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Digging in
Kathryn McCann talks to some of the women leading the allotment revolution
Last year, inspired by the vegetable plots I’d seen on my travels in India, Peru and northern Spain, I decided to apply for my own little patch.
When I put my name on the waiting list for my local allotments, the organiser told me there were six other people in front of me – all women. I was even more surprised when he added that no women had ever applied before!
My curiosity piqued, I began to look into the subject and discovered that the story is being repeated across the country.
According to Vanessa Hall, the Green Party's national spokesperson on women's issues, “Thirty years ago only 2% of allotment holders were women. Now women account for at least 20% of allotment tenants”.
So what’s sparked this trend?
For a long time, since their heyday during the Second World War, allotments have been seen as the preserve of elderly men. But recently the organic movement, concern over food miles and the increased cost of living have lead to a rising interest in allotments among younger people, especially women.
Deborah Burn of the Allotments Regeneration Initiative told me, “Anecdotal evidence shows that women are the largest group of newcomers to allotment gardening”.
She went on, “Most want to grow their own organic food, mums want to show their kids where their food comes from and younger, single women want to tap into a green lifestyle. And they’re finding that allotment gardening brings other benefits too – fresh air, exercise, and a great place to relax and meet other people”.
I decided to speak to a few female allotment holders myself and find out about their experiences:
Joanna Bristow-Watkins – Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
When I applied for my allotment in September 2004 there were two people ahead of me, and I think they were both women. In the end we jumped the queue as we were prepared to take on a very overgrown plot that the others thought looked like too much hard work.
Now we’ve got the allotment, at least half the other people who go up there regularly seem to be women. One plot is managed by two women.
I actually applied for the allotment as a present for my husband’s birthday. We both work up there now, although I leave most of the tough spadework to him!
But the real motivation was my passion for fresh organic vegetables. I’m well aware of the negative impact of chemicals – pesticides, fertilisers and growth hormones (yes, even on plants!) on the body. I’d strongly recommend Not on the Label by Felicity Lawrence to anyone who wants to learn more about this. It also gets you thinking about the impact of fuel wastage bringing overseas products to us out of season.
Barbara Saul – Linton, Kent
I’ve only just got my allotment, so I’m very much a beginner. I was lucky enough to get it straight away, with no wait. Only half an allotment was available, but that’s plenty for me to start with.
I was inspired to apply for an allotment by my sister. She’s had one for a couple of years and finds it good exercise and relaxation for her and the children as well as a brilliant source of fresh fruit and veg.
When the better weather comes around I’m planning to follow suit and take my children, two and five, along with me. I see it as a great way to get the family outside doing something useful, active, educational, and cheap! I expect the other allotment holders will enjoy their presence too.
I see a good mix of men and women at the allotments – at least 50/50. Thinking about it, I imagine lots of younger women apply for allotments, or at least instigate the application, for similar reasons to mine.
Wendy Cradock – Guildford, Surrey
I've always grown tomatoes and peppers and a few chillies in my small suburban garden.
Then in March last year one of the girls I worked with asked me if I would be interested in taking over her father-in-law's allotment, as it was really too much for him and he would prefer to hand it over to someone he (sort of) knew. So it was a bit of snap decision.
I see a few other women at the allotments, but I’d say the majority of allotment holders here are men. Having said that, I know the winner of Guildford Borough Council’s Best Allotment prize last year was a woman. Her allotment is gorgeous – flowers and fruit grown wonderfully.
Although I took the allotment project on on my own, I will be honest and say that I couldn't possibly cope with it without my divine other half. We've had a lot of success and I can't wait to get started again this year!
The whole experience has been amazing.
Jiva Masheder – Brighton, East Sussex
I had wanted an allotment for years but travelled too much to make it feasible. Having worked on a subsistence farm in the high Himalayas, I learned the beauty of growing what you eat and walking on the ground that feeds you.
Now I’ve settled in Brighton I’m sharing an allotment with my friend and yoga teacher, Jeanette. She’d already transformed another patch from a weed jungle into a well-ordered and productive plot. She used to take me up there and, impressed with my weeding skills learned in the Himalayas, was happy to let me have part of her extra plot when she got it.
There is something so magical about putting tiny seeds in pots and watching the seedlings come up and then grow into great big mature pumpkins! I love being able to give away vegetables that I’ve grown myself – it feels so much more meaningful than bought gifts. Even without knowing much about gardening, I was able to produce a few pumpkins and beans in my first summer, and I look forward to a better crop next year. More manure, I think that’s the key!
Jeanette and I help each other out with watering when one of us is away and I look to her for ideas, as she’s done so well with her plot. I'm always impressed with how other allotmenteers are happy to offer advice and stop for a friendly chat – it's a real pleasure to go up there.
Do you feel moved to join the allotment revolution? Most local councils offer plots for a small annual fee (usually less than £40), so try contacting your town or parish council.
The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) offers helpful advice on setting up and running an allotment, and the HDRA (Henry Doubleday Research Association) is a good source of information on growing fruit and vegetables organically, including seasonal tips. Libraries usually have details of local allotment associations or horticultural societies.
Hopefully I’ll have my plot by the end of March – I’m looking forward to having my own allotment tales to tell!
© Kathryn McCann 2006
Kathryn McCann is a freelance writer and editor with a particular interest in ethical and environmental issues.
Her client list includes Bill Dunster architects (the eco-architecture practice behind BedZED), TReeS (an Anglo-Peruvian charity that works to protect the rainforests of southeast Peru) and IT Power (a renewable energy consultancy that works across the developing world).
She also helps companies promote their efforts towards corporate social responsibility.
To find out more visit www.katcreative.co.uk or email her at kathryn@katcreative.co.uk.
