National Allotment Society

02/11/2026

How Accessible Is Your Allotment?

Allotments should be places where everyone feels welcome and has the opportunity to grow, but not all sites are equally accessible.

We'd love to hear what your allotment site is doing to make growing possible for more people.

🌿 Do you have raised beds or accessible pathways?
🌿 Are there smaller plots or shared growing spaces?
🌿 Have you introduced facilities or equipment to support people with disabilities or limited mobility?
🌿 Does your site have any other initiatives to encourage people of different ages, abilities and backgrounds to get involved?

We'd love to hear your examples!

Whether it's a simple, low-cost improvement or a larger project, tell us what your allotment has done to make growing more accessible.

You might just inspire another allotment association to do the same!

31/10/2026

What's the Spookiest Thing You've Found on Your Allotment?

It's Halloween, and we want to hear your allotment horror stories!

From giant slugs and mysterious holes to disappearing vegetables and creepy crawlies lurking in the compost heap, every plot has its surprises!

🕷️ Have you ever unearthed something strange while digging?
🕷️ Encountered a creature that made you jump?
🕷️ Or grown a pumpkin so enormous it was positively frightening?

Tell us your spookiest, strangest or funniest allotment experience in the comments below!

Let's see whose plot has the most haunting tale!

Happy Halloween from the National Allotment Society!

30/10/2026

Have You Received Your Latest Allotment & Leisure Gardener Magazine?

Issue 4 of 2026 is here!

Our latest edition is packed with expert advice, inspiring stories and plenty of ideas for allotment holders and gardeners alike.

🌿 Meet our new NAS Ambassador and discover his passion for growing.

⚖️ Allotment Legal Myths – we separate fact from fiction and tackle some common misconceptions about allotment rights and responsibilities.

Plus, all your regular gardening advice, seasonal tips and Society news – perfect for a cosy autumn read!

Prefer to read online? Members can access the digital edition here:
👉 https://thenas.org.uk/allotment-magazine

Not yet a member? Join our growing community and enjoy Allotment & Leisure Gardener along with a range of other membership benefits.

👉 https://thenas.org.uk/joinus

29/10/2026

How Healthy Is Your Allotment Soil?

Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving allotment, but do you really know what's happening beneath your feet?

Following a fascinating presentation by our ambassador Dr Sarah Owen-Hughes at our recent Annual Development Programme, we've put together a practical guide to understanding and improving your allotment soil.

Discover how to:
✅ Improve soil health naturally
✅ Make the most of compost and mulch
✅ Encourage beneficial soil organisms
✅ Explore the benefits of no-dig gardening
✅ Protect your soil from drought, flooding and climate change

Looking after your soil today means healthier crops and more resilient allotments for the future.

👉 Read our latest blog and discover the secrets of healthy allotment soil!

🔗https://thenas.org.uk/Soil-Improve-Allotment

28/10/2026

Learning, Sharing and Growing Together!

Recently, we held our Annual Development Programme (ADP), bringing together National Allotment Society volunteers for training, learning and sharing ideas.

We were delighted to be joined by our wonderful ambassadors Zoe Claymore and Sarah Owen-Hughes, along with guest speaker David Lloyd from The Orchard Project, who helped make the event even more engaging and informative.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed. Our volunteers play a vital role in supporting allotment communities, and events like these help us develop the knowledge and skills needed to protect, preserve and promote allotments.

Would you like to get involved? If you're passionate about allotments and would like to contribute your time, knowledge and enthusiasm, we'd love to hear from you! Get in touch to find out more about volunteering with the National Allotment Society.

27/10/2026

Small Spaces, Big Growing Opportunities This Winter!

Who says you need an allotment or a large garden to grow your own?

Whether you have a sunny windowsill, a small balcony, a patio or a courtyard, there are plenty of ways to enjoy gardening, even during the colder months!

In our latest blog, discover:

🌱 What you can grow on a winter windowsill
🌱 The best crops for balconies and patios
🌱 How to make the most of containers and limited space
🌱 Practical tips for keeping plants healthy through winter

At the National Allotment Society, we believe gardening is for everyone, whether you're an experienced allotment holder or a leisure gardener just starting out.

👉 Read our latest blog for inspiration and practical advice: https://thenas.org.uk/Winter-Windowsills-Patio

Discover what to grow on windowsills, balconies and patios this winter. Practical small-space gardening tips from the National Allotment Society.

26/10/2026

🎃 Happy National Pumpkin Day! Let's Make the Most of Your Harvest!

Whether you've grown a giant pumpkin or a smaller variety on your allotment, today is the perfect opportunity to celebrate this versatile autumn crop!

🎃 Here are five ways to make the most of your homegrown pumpkins:

🎃 Harvest carefully – Cut pumpkins from the plant, leaving around 5–10cm of stalk attached. Avoid carrying them by the stalk, as damage can encourage rotting.

🎃 Cure before storing – If conditions allow, leave mature pumpkins somewhere warm, dry and well-ventilated for around 10–14 days to help toughen their skins.

🎃 Store them properly – Keep pumpkins in a cool, dry, frost-free place with good airflow. Check regularly for signs of deterioration.

🎃 Eat your pumpkins! – Roast the flesh, make warming soups or try pumpkin bread. Not all carving varieties have the best flavour, so choose culinary varieties for cooking.

🎃 Save some seeds – Seeds from open-pollinated varieties can be dried and stored for next year's sowing, although pumpkins cross-pollinate easily, so the next crop may be different!

🎃 And remember, pumpkins aren't just for Halloween! They're a valuable food crop, and making the most of your harvest helps reduce food waste.

What's your top pumpkin-growing tip? Whether it's getting a bumper harvest, keeping pests at bay or storing pumpkins successfully, share your advice in the comments and help fellow growers!

23/10/2026

Last Chance! Our Christmas Card Competition Closes TODAY!

Today's your final chance to enter the National Allotment Society Christmas Card Competition!

We're looking for a wonderful photograph to feature on our official Christmas cards this year – and it could be yours!

From frosty landscapes and snow-covered gardens to winter wildlife, festive scenes and seasonal surprises, we'd love to see your photographs!

The prize? Your winning photograph will feature on our Christmas cards, and you'll receive three free packs featuring your own image!

📸 How to enter:
Email your photograph to [email protected] with Christmas Card Competition in the subject line.

Please send the highest-resolution version available.

⏰ Entries close TODAY – Friday 23 October!

Don't miss your chance to see your photograph turned into a Christmas card!

22/10/2026

Growing Broad Beans in the UK – Your Ultimate Guide!

Can you plant broad beans in October? Yes! Autumn is a great time to sow certain hardy varieties of broad beans, giving you a head start on next year's allotment harvest.

Broad beans are one of the easiest vegetables to grow in the UK, making them an excellent choice for beginners and experienced allotment gardeners alike.

Our Ultimate Guide to Growing Broad Beans covers everything you need to know:

🌱 When to sow broad beans in autumn and spring
🌱 The best broad bean varieties for UK growing conditions
🌱 How to plant and care for broad beans on your allotment
🌱 Common broad bean pests and diseases, including blackfly
🌱 When to harvest broad beans and how to store your crop
🌱 Delicious ways to enjoy your home-grown broad beans

Whether you're planning to plant broad beans in October or preparing for spring sowing, our comprehensive growing guide will help you get the best from your crop.

👉 Read the Ultimate Guide to Growing Broad Beans here:
https://thenas.org.uk/Ultimate-Guide-Broadbeans

Do you sow your broad beans in autumn or spring? We'd love to hear which varieties work best on your allotment!

20/10/2026

How Safe Is Your Allotment?

Allotments are more than just places to grow fruit and vegetables. They are vital green spaces that support wildlife, improve wellbeing, strengthen communities and contribute to local food security.

But do you know how protected your allotment site really is?

Not all allotments have the same legal protections, and understanding your site's status could make all the difference when its future is threatened.

Our latest blog, How to Protect Your Allotment, explores:

✅ The difference between statutory and non-statutory allotments
✅ How to find out who owns your allotment land
✅ What to do if your site is threatened by development
✅ Practical steps allotment holders and associations can take to protect their sites
✅ How the National Allotment Society can offer advice and support

Protecting allotments starts with understanding your rights.

At the National Allotment Society, we believe these valuable spaces must be protected, preserved and promoted for future generations.

👉 Read our latest guide and find out how you can help safeguard your allotment.

🔗 https://thenas.org.uk/Protect-Allotment-Future