Allotments

 

Whether in rural or urban locations, allotments play an important role, not only as a useful space for cultivation, but also in providing a valuable form of relaxation, exercise, and socializing.

Allotments are part of a network of valuable green spaces in towns and villages, providing steppingstones and wildlife corridors for dispersal. Animals such as hedgehogs roam over large distances visiting gardens, allotments, and other green spaces. Ensure a small gap under the fence of 13cmx 13cm, to allow them into the allotment. Hedgehogs eat a wide variety of insects and are a natural pest controller.

Given favourable conditions many species will find valuable resources of food, shelter or nesting sites or take up residence. Due to the variety and abundance of flowering plants allotments and gardens have been found to be pollinator hotspots.

Allotments are also thought to be particularly good places for wildlife due to their patchwork nature, with different plots being managed in different ways combined with a few abandoned plots and boundary hedges.

Enhancing the wildlife value of allotments

  • Including a wildflower patch can to an allotment wildlife value by supporting a wide range of insect species including both pollinators such as bumblebees and solitary bees as well as predatory insects. Some wild plants are also edible, check with a reliable source and consider adding them for their dual benefits. Where not permitted within an allotment, ask if an empty plot can be put aside as a wildflower or wildlife area.
  • Many fruit and vegetable plants need pollinating insects to produce food. Research demonstrated that planting companion plants such as borage which is a magnet for wild bees increased the productivity of strawberry plants.*
  • You can have a productive and attractive allotment without using chemical herbicides and pesticides, which damage the environment and can harm wildlife. Instead of using chemicals, use barriers, hand remove slugs or aphids and encourage the predators such as slow worms and hedgehogs. Both species are associated with compost heaps which will also provide a good soil improver.
  • A log pile or log pyramid will also provide a refuge for many animals such as predatory beetles and frogs or toads.
  • In the autumn, be a little untidy, as fallen leaves are important for hedgehogs to line their nests. Hollow stems left standing can be homes to solitary bees and the seed heads enjoyed by birds such as gold finches. Insects such as bumblebees will use uncut grass to over winter in. Vary the areas left on a two or three-year rotation to avoid the development of scrub such as brambles.
  • Where local rules allow, include a nettle patch. Nettles are caterpillar food plants for some of our familiar butterflies such as peacock and red admiral. Cut back in late June for a second flush of fresh growth favoured for egg laying and use the leaves to make a green manure for the vegetable plants.
  • The addition of bird and bat boxes or hedgehog homes can compliment natural spaces. Solitary bee homes made of hollow stems and placed about a meter above ground in a sunny location are also quickly occupied.
  • Where regulations allow, a mini pond is great for animals such as dragonflies and frogs, don’t forget to include a step or ramp for frogs or hedgehogs to exit.

As a collective of gardeners, allotment associations can help bring people together for wildlife, managing, celebrating, and recording for nature’s recovery. #TeamWilder

If you would like tailored advice on how to encourage wildlife across your allotment, contact our Conservation Advisor, Cathy Smith

*Griffiths-Lee, Janine, Nicholls, Elizabeth and Goulson, Dave (2020) Companion planting to attract pollinators increases the yield and quality of strawberry fruit in gardens and allotments. Ecological Entomology. ISSN 0307-6946