Running an allotment is one of the most relaxing things you can do in your spare time. It’s a place you can be one with nature and escape all of the problems of the modern world. That is until it comes to paying for the upkeep of your allotment every month. Depending on where you live, the rent of your patch can be expensive, and that’s before you take into account all of the other costs involved. To make the whole experience a lot more relaxing, here are some of the ways you can reduce the costs of running your allotment.
A Modern British Allotment – Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose
Try to reduce any bills you might be facing
One of the best places to start when considering how to reduce the costs you face is to try and reduce your bills. These are the costs that you have to pay out every single month of the year, no matter whether your patch is blooming for in the summer or looking a lot emptier in the winter. With some costs, like the rent you’re paying on a plot, there are very few things you can reduce these standard prices. If you do find you’re struggling to afford your own plot, one of the only alternatives is to consider sharing a plot with someone else so you can split the costs. For other bills, there are often better deals you could find by doing a little research.
For example, if your plot gets its water from a business property, you could find you could end up paying less for your water if you change providers. Simply find a comparison website, like Utility Bidder, and enter the postcode of your allotment, and they will show you all the deals available to your allotment. You can then present this information to either the other members of the allotment or the management team and show them how easy it would be to switch providers.
Buy in bulk wherever possible
Another great way of saving money is to buy in bulk. When it comes to things like plant feed or even compost, you could find that you’re paying a lot less per kilogram of the exact same product if you buy it in bigger bags. If you find you don’t need so much product, see if any of your fellow allotment members need the same product. This way, you can all club together and buy one large order of the product and share the savings between yourselves.
Try to buy second-hand where possible
When a tool is broken, you might be tempted to head straight to your local DIY store to purchase a brand new one. While this might be the easiest option, it might not be the best option for your wallet or the environment. Instead, search sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace to see if you can find one much cheaper second-hand. Sites like Facebook Marketplace mean you can even arrange to go pick up an item you need the same day from someone living locally to you. By reusing products somebody else no longer has a use for, you’re saving important materials from going into landfill.
Article courtesy D Jones
