Lightpill Co-operative Allotments

29/05/2026

Food for thought....

Learn how pesticide use affects pollinators, soil, and wildlife, and discover simple ways allotment gardeners can protect their plots and support nature | National Allotment Society

26/05/2026

https://thenas.org.uk/monthlyjobsmay

For some monthly advice and tips on what you should be doing on your allotment, please choose the month from the drop down menu.

26/05/2026

Interesting facts about using cardboard on the allotment.

Wondering if cardboard is safe for your allotment? Learn how plain, non-glossy cardboard can suppress weeds, enrich soil, and support a healthy ecosystem on your plot.

21/04/2026

Well worth trying before buying commercialised fertilisers.

Learn how to make and use homemade fertilisers and plant teas using natural materials like weeds, compost and kitchen waste to boost allotment crop growth naturally | National Allotment Society

21/04/2026

Dig or no dig, that is the question?

To Dig or Not to Dig? That is the Question

From traditional digging and double digging to the growing popularity of no-dig gardening, there’s more than one way to care for your soil — and each approach has its place.

In our latest blog, the National Allotment Society takes a balanced look at the history, science, and practical benefits of different soil management methods to help you decide what works best for your own plot.

👉 Read the full article here: https://thenas.org.uk/Dig-Nodig-Allotments

Whether you dig, don’t dig, or do a bit of both — the most important thing is healthy soil and happy growing!

21/04/2026

The rhubarb is delicious at the moment!

Rhubarb Season is Here!

Many of you will now be harvesting plenty of rhubarb from your plots — but what do you do when you’ve got more than you can eat fresh?

The good news is rhubarb is incredibly versatile, and there are lots of ways to preserve your harvest so nothing goes to waste:

🌱 Freeze it – Chop and freeze raw, or lightly stew first for ready-to-use portions for crumbles and pies.
🌱 Can it – Preserve in syrup, compote, or as a stewed base for desserts.
🌱 Make jam or chutney – A classic way to balance rhubarb’s sharp flavour with sugar, spice, or citrus.
🌱 Dehydrate or dry it – Slice thinly for chewy snacks or to rehydrate in baking.
🌱 Infuse it – Use rhubarb to flavour vinegar, cordial, gin, vodka, or even kombucha-style drinks.
🌱 Cook & store – Make compote and refrigerate or freeze in portions for quick puddings.
🌱 Vacuum seal & freeze – Helps preserve texture and flavour for longer storage.
🌱 Blend & bottle – Turn into purées for smoothies, desserts, or baking ingredients.
🌱 Roast & preserve – Roast with a little sugar and store as a rich dessert base.
🌱 Cordials & syrups – Reduce with sugar to create drinks that last for weeks in the fridge.
🌱Sorbets & ice cream – Turn your rhubarb into refreshing sorbets or creamy ice cream for a seasonal

From drinks to desserts, rhubarb can be stored in many forms — meaning your allotment harvest can be enjoyed long after the season ends.

What's your favourite way?

21/04/2026

Do you use a plot planner for your allotment?

The National Allotment Society is interested in how plot holders organise their growing spaces throughout the season .

Plot planning can take many forms, and we’d love to know which approach you use:

🌱 Digital tools – apps, spreadsheets, or online calendars
🌱 Traditional paper methods – notebooks, diaries, or hand-drawn bed plans
🌱 Mental planning – keeping everything in your head
🌱 Other methods – such as wall charts, whiteboards, seed packets, or personal systems you’ve developed

With so much to manage across a growing year — from crop rotation and successional sowing to pest control and watering — effective planning can be a valuable tool for many growers.

How do you plan your plot, and has your approach changed over time?

We’d love to hear your experiences.

21/04/2026

Practical Crop Protection

From netting and crop cages to polytunnels, fencing, and natural planting strategies — there are many ways to build a more resilient, productive plot. But every method has its strengths and trade-offs, and the real success comes from combining approaches that work for your site.

Explore our latest blog to learn how to create a stronger, more secure growing space that works with nature rather than against it.

👉 Read the full article here:https://thenas.org.uk/Allotment-Structures-Strategies

What are your top tips for safeguarding your allotment? Share your experience in the comments — we’d love to hear what works on your plot!

21/04/2026

21/04/2026

Fresh air, sunshine, and wellbeing — all from your allotment

As the weather warms up, allotments become more than just growing spaces—they’re a real boost for your health too.

Research has found that allotment gardeners report better mood, higher self-esteem, and improved overall health compared with non-gardeners. Studies have also shown that even a single session of gardening can improve mood and reduce stress, highlighting just how quickly time on the plot can have a positive effect.

Part of the benefit comes from simply being outdoors—getting fresh air, gentle physical activity, and natural daylight, which helps your body produce vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for supporting bone health, immunity, and overall wellbeing, especially during the brighter months when we can spend more time outside.

It’s a simple recipe: nature, movement, sunshine… and just enough chaos to keep it interesting.

Be honest—does your allotment leave you feeling relaxed, or like you’ve been in a light battle with nature?