"Allotment gardens are characterised by a concentration in one place of a few or up to several hundreds of land parcels that are assigned to individuals or families. In allotment gardens, the parcels are cultivated individually, contrary to other community garden types where the entire area is tended collectively by a group of people.[1] The individual size of a parcel ranges between 200 and 400 square meters, and often the plots include a shed for tools and shelter. The individual gardeners are organised in an allotment association which leases the land from the owner who may be a public, private or ecclesiastical entity, provided that it is only used for gardening (i.e. growing vegetables, fruits and flowers), but not for residential purposes. The gardeners have to pay a small membership fee to the association, and have to abide by the corresponding constitution and by-laws. However, the membership entitles them to certain democratic rights.[2][3]"

Those pictures make me 'green' with envy! I have juststarted on a neglected allotment and have been hacking and sweating through crouch grass and thistles. Will be worth it though, and other benefits include a different and better quality of time, and meeting nice people.

I'd love a lottie, too far away from me though, I don't drive.

Denmark has that system too. They're called "colonihaver". They were invented so city folks could get some dirt under their fingernails too. Some people even build little tiny holiday cottages on them.

Keep plugging away at it, abailart; lucky you - I have never had on. Was interested to hear that a similar system runs in Denmark, TN - cool. The way things are going (Monsanto & Co) I wouldn't be surprised if growing one's own food will be classed as an act of subversion. Power to your 'green thumbs'