Garden as an Allotment

[ScaryMary2008]

Hi,

I have quite a large back garden and I don't have time to tend it.

If I was to section off the garden, could I rent it as an allotment, or is part of the allotment fun, being part of a larger group? I think it woudl only be big enough for one allotment (It coudl be accessible from the street, so no access issues).

If I was to rent it, what rent should I charge?

I am curremtly in Northampton (Near Duston).

Thanks, Mary.

[veggiechicken]

Hello Mary and welcome to the Forum.
Have a look at Landshare - connecting growers to people with land to share. a website that matches those with land available with those who would like to grow fruit and veg.
As for rent, I have absolutely no idea. You may want to consider having a share of the produce instead, as well as the benefit to you of having your garden maintained by somebody else!

[Farmer_Gyles]

if you charge a rent etc, you could be opening yourself to all sorts of potential issues for a few quid of rent money
i'd go with the landshare option - a simple agreement that someone can use part of your garden for veggies - and in return, you get some veggies or they look after the rest of your garden etc - there's a simple agreement on there you can use, saves a lot of hassles

[chris]

As well as/instead of shared produce, you could ask that the rest of your garden is kept tidy - most people would be more than happy to do this in exchange for growing space.

The whole landshare ethos is based around sharing, rather than profiting financially, and as such I'd expect the majority of growers would expect to put in work rather than pay for the land.

[eirish]

An email went round at work a while back from someone who was offering a private allotment in their garden in return for a share of the produce. I'd have been tempted if I didn't already have some growing space.

[alldigging]

Wonder whether you need extra liability insurance for landshare?