‘A green lung for the city’: why Newcastle’s allotments matter more than ever in a changing world

THE chair of West Jesmond Allotments Association predicts the nation’s humble allotment plots will become an increasing focus of attention as climate change threatens food supply and nature in the UK.

Guy Herzmark, who is also the northern region lead for the National Allotment Society, says the abundance of fruit and vegetables grown on allotments underlines how valuable they can be.

And he says that the North East is particularly well-placed to make use of allotment power as a defence against increasingly unpredictable weather conditions.

Newcastle has more allotments per head of population than any other city, something the North East should be “immensely proud of”.

He said: “I believe allotments are part of the solution towards the green economy that we will need in the future. 

“The weather is changing and that provides challenges for allotment holders as well as everyone else but allotments across the country remain green spaces where a great deal of food is grown for the community to enjoy.

“Their role is likely to become increasingly important as time goes on.

“If there are more droughts at home and abroad, they may well lead to the scarcity of some foods and rising prices but productive allotments are a guard against that, and we may even see more created as a result because they can provide cheaper food when food prices are going up.

“If you have an allotment you can grow your own stuff for less than you can buy it for in the supermarket, and of course you know what you’ve put in it. If you want organic stuff, you can have it.”

Guy’s words come as the recent National Allotment Week, on the back of an extended summer heatwave, put allotments in the national spotlight. 

Far from being just a place to grow a few spuds and swap tips over the fence, allotments are increasingly being recognised as potential tools in the battle against climate change, although they are not immune to its effects.

Guy says the changing climate is already reshaping how allotment holders work.

“The most obvious feature we see is that it is much hotter and drier in the summer,” he explained. “That means we have to water much more than we used to.

“We pay for our water, so it puts up our costs and it puts a duty on people here to be watering most days, especially if you have a greenhouse.”

The challenges aren’t limited to scorching summers, though, winters, too, are changing.

“If we don’t have sufficient cold days, then some of our fruit won’t grow properly, mainly apples and pears, and garlic too,” Guy said.

“They require cold periods. 

“So far it has been cold enough, but if this continues, it might not be.”

This year’s National Allotment Week focused on the theme of ‘Grow to Learn’, highlighting the educational opportunities that allotments support. They teach persistence and flexibility, helping people respond to changes in the weather and other factors. Allotments grow community resilience, food security and environmental well-being. Guy believes that message is more important than ever.

“Allotments are the solution to many of life’s problems, like loneliness, stress and physical unfitness,” he said. 

“They provide a community feel, there’s a sense of belonging and they’re a green lung for the city. Everybody benefits.”

West Jesmond Allotments, founded in 1917 during the First World War and expanded again during the Second, still carries echoes of its past. 

Guy points out Jessie the Jesmond Worm – a privet hedge shaped into a giant worm bordering what used to be a croquet lawn. Today, the site has 67 full plots, of which many are divided into half-plots, together with six  mini-plots, all buzzing with activity.

Guy himself grows “60 or 70 things”, rattling off a list that sounds like a greengrocer’s dream, including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, plums, quinces, apples, pears, mulberries, potatoes, onions, shallots, parsnips, carrots, asparagus, sweetcorn, fennel, beetroot, kale, cauliflower, cabbages, courgettes, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, aubergines and rhubarb.

But beyond the produce, allotments offer something deeper: a way for ordinary people to take climate action into their own hands.

He’s also keen to modernise the old wartime slogan which was used when allotments were expanded.

“When we talk about Dig for Victory, digging is not the only way of running an allotment”, he reflected. “There are no dig methods, so I’d be a bit sceptical of Dig for Victory, but Garden for Victory, I’d certainly go for that!”

The demand for more allotments is clear. 

West Jesmond has a waiting list of around 20 people, mirroring the wider picture across the region. 

The demographic is also shifting, if West Jesmond’s experience is anything to go by.

Once dominated by older men, it is now roughly 50:50 men and women, and 50:50 retired and younger people with children.

So Guy feels confident that as the country faces more extreme weather, rising food prices, and the need for greener cities, allotments will only grow in importance.

“Allotments are a good thing, and we need more,” he said simply. “They’re good for people, good for cities, and good for the planet.”