Allotments in Waterlooville

Growing your own fruit and vegetables

Allotments in the Waterlooville area provide residents with the space to grow their own fruit, vegetables and flowers. The allotment sites are managed by Havant Borough Council and local allotment associations, and plots are available for rent at modest annual charges. Waiting lists exist for the most popular sites, and new tenants may need to wait several months before a plot becomes available.

The allotments attract a diverse mix of tenants, from retired gardeners with decades of experience to young families who want their children to understand where food comes from. The traditional allotment culture of growing potatoes, beans, brassicas and soft fruit continues alongside more adventurous planting that reflects changing tastes and the influence of television gardening programmes.

Allotment associations organise social events, competitions and communal work days that build community among plot holders. The trading huts on some sites sell seeds, compost, fertiliser and sundries at competitive prices, and the sharing of surplus produce, seedlings and advice is a natural part of allotment life.

The value of allotments extends beyond food production. The physical exercise of digging, planting and maintaining a plot provides health benefits, and the mental health advantages of spending time outdoors in a green environment are increasingly recognised. For Waterlooville residents who live in flats or houses with small gardens, an allotment provides the growing space that their home does not offer.