Want to grow your own fresh fruit and vegetables, get fit, de stress and enjoy nature? an allotment might be just the thing...

Growing your own, involving your family or friends can be hugely rewarding.  Once you have had your first harvest, you'll wonder how you ever managed without one.

The annual cost of an allotment varies depending on the size of the plot allocated. Chelmsford Borough Council measure their allotment plots in rods (a rod being 25 square metres). Currently due to the strong demand for our allotment sites, we are allocating half plots, approximately 5-6 rods.

Annual Cost

From 1 April 2009 the charge is £2.44 per rod plus an annual water charge of £5 (if there is water on site). From 1 April 2010 the annual water charge will rise to £10.

Interested?

Call 01245 605571 or email allotments@chelmsford.gov.uk and we will be delighted to help you with any questions you might have.

If you have an allotment site within the Parish you live in, you also have the option of contacting them regarding availability. Please go to the links on the right hand side of the page for further information. 

Benefits of an Allotment

Fun for kids

• Encourage children to have their own growing area.
• Grow cool crops like tall sunflowers or huge pumpkins.
• A child's diet is important. Grow your own '5 a day'.
• Create an exciting butterfly and bumble bee garden

Good for all the family

• A meaningful, leisure activity that we can do together.
• Organic produce, bursting with flavour, grown cheaply.
• Save money by growing your own exotic or unusual crops.
• Community interaction, exchanging ideas and advice.
• Meals become more fun when you grow, cook and eat your own fruit and vegetables. 

Keeps you fit and healthy

• A healthy diet and exercise helps to reduce cholesterol
• Improves body strength, flexibility and muscle tone
• Provides relaxation therapy and stress relief
• Physical recreation without the expense of gym fees 

Your retirement

• Help to improve the environment for future generations
• Share a plot with friends - share the work and produce
• Preserve your fruits and vegetables to enjoy all year
• Grow cut flowers economically to brighten your home
• Have a small lawn and ornamental area where you can sit, relax and appreciate all your efforts