Southampton City Council

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Allotments

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Apply for an allotment

Image of Athelstan Allotments looking towards the river






An allotment is an area of land, which can be rented for growing fruit and vegetables for you and your family.

There are over 1700 allotment plots on 23 different sites around the city, available to rent annually. Anyone who lives within the city boundary is eligible to apply for an allotment. The cost to rent a site depends on the location and size of the plot. The average standard plot costs around £43 a year. Discounts are available for people over 60 and those receiving benefits.

We can provide advice on which sites are available and how to get the best out of your allotment, depending on what you want to grow.

Please note we do not currently have a hose pipe ban in place.

To apply for an allotment use the online form above, call into Gateway, email allotments@southampton.gov.uk or telephone 023 8083 3007.

Ten Reasons to have an Allotment

1. Organic

You can decide whether to grow organic and know exactly what you are eating. You can reduce you and your family’s exposure to pesticides, herbicides and fungicides.

2. Value for money

Growing your own vegetables and fruit can save you lots of money, especially if you want to eat organic. Renting a plot costs less than you think.

3. Exercise

Getting outside, enjoying the fresh air and increasing the amount of exercise you do.

4. Community spirit

Allotment gardening can provide an opportunity to meet other people.

5. Family activity

People of all ages can enjoy working on an allotment. It can be a fun activity for all the family.

6. Sense of achievement

It can be very rewarding to see and taste the fruits of your labour.

7. Freshest food possible

You can pick and eat your crops within hours.

8. Good for the environment

Allotments encourage environmentally friendly practices such as composting and reduce the need for packaging.

9. Good for local wildlife

Allotments can provide valuable habitats for wildlife and offer green open space in otherwise urban areas.

10. Stress relief

Gardening can be very therapeutic and can reduce stress.

Already on the Waiting List

1. Moving home

Let us know if you change your contact details.

2. You have 14 days to accept an offered plot

Let us know if you are on holiday or there is another reason why you cannot accept within the 14 day timeframe.

A New Plotholder

1. Do I have to pay a deposit?

Yes. A £30 deposit is required. This will be refunded if the plot is given up and it is left in a tidy state. The deposit is not deducted from the annual rent.

2. What is the annual rent period?

The annual rent period is 1 November to 31 October.

3. Do I have to pay a whole years rent?

You will be billed from the date of taking on the plot until the 31 October. After this the new annual bill will be issued.

4. Is there any paperwork to sign?

You will need to come into Gateway to sign the allotment agreement.

5. Where do I begin?

Dig over about one fifth of the plot add manure and plant potatoes. Don’t be too fussy with the digging as potatoes are good for clearing weedy ground. Then dig the next fifth to a better standard removing as many weeds as possible and plant crops such as onions, marrows etc. The bottom section of the plot should have a large compost bin and all permanent crops that should not be moved.

6. How do I reduce pests?

To reduce pests and diseases and improve the soil structure crops should be rotated each year.

Downloadable documents

Icon Name of file Size Download time
PDF document Allotments Service Promises 727 KB 3secs @ 2Mbps
PDF document Dig This 465 KB 2secs @ 2Mbps
PDF document The Potting Shed Gazette - November 2011 669 KB 3secs @ 2Mbps
PDF document The Potting Shed Gazette - February 2012 489 KB 2secs @ 2Mbps
PDF document When to Sow 11 KB 0secs @ 2Mbps
Link to download Adobe Acrobat if required

Contact information

If you want to contact us regarding the content of this page please contact us at:

  • 023 8083 3007
  • Allotment Services, Southampton City Council, 3rd Floor One Guildhall Square, Southampton, SO14 7FP

For any other council related enquiries please contact: