Test your Allotment Knowledge

Q.1

How much did a National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners survey find that a 300 yard allotment could save you throughout the course of a year?

As well as getting you out in the sun and exercising, allotments can end up saving you a good bit of money over time, more than compensating for the initial costs and hard work.

£1300
£2400
£600
£800

Q.2

Which one of these benefits is not associated with raised beds?

Raised Beds can have a number of advantages on your plot, and to top it all off, they look amazing!

Better Drainage
Weed Control
Backache prevention
Space for more plants

Q.3

Which of these animals is not commonly kept on an allotment?

It's often seen as an allotmenter's right to keep certain animals on the plot, with some even protected by law in the Allotments Act of 1950. One of these animals, however, is less likely to be made welcome by allotment plot holders.

Rabbits
Cockerels
Bees
Hens

Q.4

During which war was the 'Dig For Victory' campaign launched in order to increase Britain's self-sufficiency?

You've probably seen the famous pictures of smiling Brits either digging, holding spades or showing off their produce along with the slogan 'Dig For Victory'. But when was this campaign initiated?

1st World War
2nd World War
Nine Years' War
English Civil War

Q.5

Which of these is not a benefit of crop rotation?

Whilst it can sometimes seem like hard work, crop rotation can have a great number of benefits for your allotment.

Controlling pests
Preserving soil quality
Increasing plants' exposure to sunshine
Preventing diseases

Q.6

Which of these is the best way to reduce the acidity of your soil?

Most plants thrive in fairly neutral soil, so having it too acidic can mean that you are limited to certain plants, or that your plants don't grow as well as the could.

Adding lime
Carrying out a PH test
Adding coffee grounds
Adding Zinc

Q.7

Which one of these won't benefit the quality of your topsoil?

There are few things more important to your plants' development than ensuring that they are grown in high quality, deep topsoil.

Crop Rotation
Adding nitrogen
Introducing worms
Planting Jerusalem artichokes

Q.8

Which one of these plants is a perennial?

Perennial plants are those which do not complete their entire life cycle within a year. Most allotment plants are annuals, but which of these isn't?

Rhubarb
Dill
Cauliflower
Onion

Q.9

Why do you often find allotments by railway lines?

Have you ever noticed that there are a great number of allotments bordering railway lines around the UK?

When train tracks are dug out, the earth around them is made very fertile.
Railway lines were chosen as they are great places to transport allotment produce from.
During World War One, the railway companies owned suitable land which was farmed to feed the blockaded nation.
The government in World War One thought that the sight of fresh food growing would boost the public morale