Earlier this month, we spoke to the people at The National Allotment society about national allotment week, the benefits of keeping allotments, and how The National Allotment Society works to provide, promote and preserve allotments. Find out all about their work and how and why you should get involved in allotment week this year in our interview below!

Our interview with The National Allotment Society

1. The National Allotment Society – can you describe what it is you focus on, do and work on?

The National Allotment Society (NSALG) is the leading national organisation upholding the interests and rights of the allotment community across the UK. We are governed by volunteers from our regional bodies in England and Wales and our membership is made up of allotments associations, societies and federations, schools, councils, landlords and individuals. We work with the government at national and local levels, other organisations and landlords to provide, promote and preserve allotments and raise awareness of the social, cultural, heritage and health benefits of the allotment movement and its relevance to wider environmental issues. We offer support, guidance and advice to our members and those with an interest in allotment gardening. We also work to ensure statutory allotment sites are not disposed of unfairly and that local authorities uphold their duty to provide allotment land.

2. How long have you been up and running, and what have you seen as the impact across this time?

The Society’s roots go back to the early 20th Century and our influence has helped UK citizens to grow food in times of war and depression and ensured that allotment sites were not lost when interest waned during the post WW2 period. Our current focus is supporting sites who are interested in taking on devolved management of their sites and encouraging provision of new sites in housing developments.

3. Being a member of the National Allotment Society, what does that mean for gardeners?

Allotment growers join the Society as either individuals or as members of an allotment association, this gives them access to a range of benefits. We have supportive regional networks who can visit sites to help with site development or forming a committee and an informative website with an exclusive members section. We produce a quarterly members magazine and e-newsletter. We offer a discounted insurance and seed scheme along with other retail benefits. Members also have the satisfaction of knowing that they are contributing to the protection of allotments for future generations.

4. It’s approaching the time of year for National Allotment Week! How can people take part in this?

From 14 to 20 August many sites are opening their gates and inviting the local community to join them for barbecues, plant and produce sales, allotment tours, competitions and exhibitions, coffee mornings and afternoon teas – many of them raising funds to support local charities. We offer a free publicity pack to sites taking part. We are also running a beginners’ allotment course at Barnsdale Gardens in Oakham on Sunday 20 August. Details can be found on our website.

5. What are you hoping is the result of National Allotment Week?

National Allotments Week serves to highlight and celebrate the enduring nature of the allotment movement and gives aspiring plot-holders the opportunity to visit a site and see the benefits for themselves.

6. Allotments are a great keeper for those of all ages. How do you think people can benefit from allotment keeping and gardening?

There are many benefits to individuals of allotment growing – healthy exercise, good food, sense of achievement, social engagement, contact with nature, fresh air and Vitamin D!
Now that there are more families renting plots and gardening together the knowledge needed to grow your own food is being passed down the generations, more children are aware of where their food comes from and will be keen to preserve our precious allotment plots for the future.

Allotments are also important biodiversity hotspots in towns and cities linking up with parks, rivers and hedgerows to form wildlife corridors. Supporting a healthy eco-system increases levels of pollinators that are vital for allotments and farmers.

7. Gardening can help promote an active and healthy lifestyle in many ways. What are your thoughts on the importance of this?

Contemporary allotments do more than provide food, the healthy lifestyle they encourage helps to combat several of the challenges facing 21st Century populations – obesity, inactivity and mental health problems resulting from social isolation cost the UK economy billions of pounds every year. Investment in allotment sites can make a huge contribution to the health and well-being of UK citizens.

8. Do you have any general tips and advice for fellow allotment keepers?

The advice I usually give to new plot-holders is work your plot little and often and grow what you like to eat. Ask your fellow plot-holders what grows well on the site and prepare to learn from your mistakes. If you are unable to garden for a while through ill health or other emergencies – let your allotment authority know. We would also like to call on plot-holders on devolved managed sites to muck in and support their committee on work parties and Open Days.

9. Allotments can be all about growing your own produce. What do you propose are the advantages of this?

By growing your own food, you have control over the chemicals that are used (or not) in the process and less food is moved around the country in lorries. Allotment growers can grow unusual varieties of fruit and vegetables that are not available in the supermarket and help to conserve rare varieties. Allotment life also offers opportunities to share produce and experiences.

10. How can more people get involved in allotment gardening?

Demand for allotment plots will always fluctuate and waiting lists are necessary for sites to be viable. However, if there are no local allotments or prohibitively long waiting lists then a DIY approach may work. Form a group and approach your local council and suggest that you work together to find land and create a site, one of the Society Representatives has supported over 50 groups to do this in the South West of England.

Shop our range of garden products, perfect for getting started with an allotment!

To celebrate the upcoming summer holidays, here at Shedstore we’re giving you the chance to win 2 beautiful ‘Small Slender Planters’, which will make the ideal addition to any garden, patio or outside space. The pressure treated Slender Planters have an elegant design with a contemporary twist, featuring a metal detail top. There is no doubt that they will create the perfect focal point for your garden. They look beautiful with their natural timber finish, but can also be painted any colour of your choice if you would prefer.

We’re hosting the giveaway over on our Shedstore Facebook page.

To be in with the chance of winning these excellent set of two planters, all you need to do is – ‘LIKE’ our Facebook page, ‘LIKE’ one of the competition posts and then ‘SHARE’ the post on your own wall for your friends to see.

Deadline is Sunday 20th August at midnight and the winner will be announced the following day – Monday 21st August.
GOOD LUCK everyone!

Terms and Conditions:

• This competition is for UK residents only.
• You must be over 21 years old to enter this competition.
• Deadline for prize draw entry: midnight of Sunday 20th August 2017
• There is no voucher or cash alternative.

In order to be entered for the prize you must follow the steps below:

• Visit our Shedstore Facebook page and press the ‘Like’ button, find any of the competition posts to ‘Like’ and then share the post on your own Facebook wall.
• Users can only enter this competition once.
• There is no cost to enter this competition and it is not endorsed by Facebook.
• One winner will be chosen from a random draw of entries received in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.  The draw will be performed by a random computer process.
• A winner will be announced on Monday 21st August 2017 via personal message and a post on Facebook
• The winner has 24 hours to reply. If the winner does not respond within 24 hours, the prize will be transferred to another winner.

Plastic stores can be the perfect solution for your garden storage needs: easy to assemble, low maintenance and durable, plus the variety of sizes and designs ensures there is a plastic store for every garden.

Suncast Deck Box Side table (SHS19416): blow moulded construction has created a strong, double walled, durable resin side table with a hinged lid. Java in colour and a wicker lookalike, it blends into any patio area, modern or traditional. It is perfect for storing smaller items and obviously as a side table for lanterns, candles and drinks. Once put together (and that takes minutes) there is little or no maintenance. A quick wipe down with warm, soapy water is all it needs to keep this beauty looking in tip-top condition. Each side table is backed by a five year guarantee.

Rattan Effect Plastic Patio Storage Box (SHS202405): this durable model has a 12 month guarantee and a large 270 litre capacity. That’s plenty of space for all your everyday hand tools and garden furniture cushions. The rattan effect plastic results in a storage box that you won’t want to hideaway – but, if stuck in a dark corner, the only maintenance required is a wash down to remove any algae. Otherwise it’s a case of assemble (no tools required), fill with your garden knick-knacks and stand back. And then, if you're not happy with its position in the garden, the integrated handles and roller wheels make it easy to wheel around until you find the perfect place. The box is an impressive 1.2m x 0.6m which is more than enough for most garden needs.

Suncast Resin Wicker Storage Seat (SHS17320): both storage and seating rolled into one. This is a must-have piece of furniture for any garden. The stylish rattan style complements existing garden furniture and the seat also boasts an 83 litre storage capacity. That’s perfect for any cushion for the seat or smaller hand tools. The durable resin build has no maintenance requirements other than a quick wipe down with soapy water. Assembly of this beautiful unit only takes an hour or so and the result lasts for years. The overall size of the seat/store is 0.57m x 0.44m making it perfect for any sized garden.

Lifetime 500 litre Heavy Duty Storage Box (SHS18705): this is a cavernous storage unit that, when closed, is a large seating area. The storage volume is 500 litres and the box measures 1.52m x 0.61m. Being constructed from powder coated steel and UV stable polyethylene makes this a heavy duty, durable box backed by a ten year guarantee. It is 100% weatherproof and easy to assemble. And all that storage volume - perfect for bulkier garden items such as hosepipes, cushions, hand tools, spades and forks. This is surely the ultimate in garden storage boxes.

Suncast Coffee Table with Storage (SHS19414): the perfect way to combine practicality and good looks, this storage box is also a super coffee table. A great way to make full use of any patio space. The double wall, blow moulded resin construction results in a solid, stable and durable storage box (or coffee table, or both!). Access to the contents of the unit is easy thanks to a hinged lid latching function. The contemporary wicker design in Java colour blends in with all existing furniture and the unit carries a five year guarantee. It is the perfect solution to space saving and practicality on any patio.

Suncast Resin Kensington Four Store (SHS17327): this unit is constructed from durable resin and is both rust and rot proof. It has an integral reinforced floor and is completely maintenance free. The large double doors make getting to your gardening bits and bobs easy and the large volume of storage space makes this a great solution for most gardening storage challenges. It is all backed by a five year guarantee and is easy to assemble. And if that it isn’t enough, the superb woodgrain texture throughout the unit makes it easy on the eye as well.

The look, smell and sheer beauty of a wooden greenhouse is one of life's greatest pleasures. Superbly practical with inherent good looks - a wooden greenhouse is a structure to cherish.

Wooden Mini Greenhouse: this is a lovely way to get started in greenhouse gardening or if your garden is bijou. It’s ideal for the experienced gardener as well. All the timber in this 1.2m x 0.62m is pressure treated and therefore has a whopping 15 year guarantee against rot. The wide double doors allow easy access to your seedlings and plants while the tongue and groove cladding and slatted shelves add up to a sturdy structure. It is easy to assemble and will last for decades.

Cofton Wall Greenhouse: ideal for any wall or solid fence, this structure has masses of growing space. It’s also highly practical with two opening vents, adjustable shelving to accommodate taller plants and comes complete with a back panel to facilitate even easier siting. The greenhouse is 1.5m x 0.6m and is to provide a 15 year guarantee against rot. It is elegant, practical and long lasting - the perfect greenhouse when space is limited.

Grow-Plus Sherborne Greenhouse 8x6: what a beauty. Classic good looks, superb growing space and a 15 year guarantee against rot allows you to lose yourself in this gorgeous greenhouse (not actually lose yourself as it is a manageable 1.8m x 2.5m). Higher than usual head room allows taller crops such as cucumbers and tomatoes to thrive without being squashed, and of course you won’t knock your head against any of the structure. The 70 x 45mm frame is strong, the 4mm toughened glass is safe and the 12mm tongue and groove cladding is robust. The automatic vent, supplied as standard, keeps the air circulation flowing on warm days when you are elsewhere, although every minute away from this greenhouse will only induce longing to return. This greenhouse oozes quality from its wooden structure to the best ironmongery.

Windsor Wooden Combi Greenhouse: Is it a shed? Is it a greenhouse? This is the perfect combination of both to make the most of all available space in a garden. Measuring 2.53m x 2.5m, it provides fantastic growing space and superb storage facilities. Safety glazed throughout, the structure is easy to assemble and has various door positions to fit most garden plans. One door opens straight into the greenhouse and another into the shed. Both are key operated for highest security. The building carries a 10 year guarantee against rot.

Grow-Plus Sherbourne Greenhouse 10x8: this put simply is a superb greenhouse. The framework is a staggering 70 x 45mm and is the basis of this robust greenhouse. The cladding is a durable 12mm. All timber has been slow grown and kiln dried to ensure stability. The glazing is the best 4mm toughened glass and two automatic vent openers ensure great air circulation without you lifting a finger. Two single doors allow easy access to the cavernous greenhouse space including two full width spans of internal staging. All ironmongery is of the highest quality. This greenhouse is supplied with a 15 year guarantee against rot. All you need to do is clean the glazing in spring and winter and enjoy the pleasure of growing plants in a wonderful greenhouse. It is available in three different sizes to fit your garden space.

Nothing beats the taste and aroma of freshly picked herbs especially when they have travelled food metres and not miles. A herb planter placed in a sunny spot outside your kitchen door will provide handfuls if not armfuls of herbs for many months of the year.

Whichever herb planter you choose, ensure it has plenty of drainage holes and is planted up using well-drained compost. Add extra grit until you hear the crunch when mixing. Drainage and a sunny site is vital to the success of your plants. But first, the planters:

Devon herb planter (SHS248) is a superb planter. Its wooden, made of tongue and groove cladding and is sturdy. The planter has a 15 year guarantee against rot and is easy to put together. A couple of hours tops from receiving the package to getting ready to fill with that quality well drained compost. It is 1.5m wide and 0.5m deep – and that's a great space to grow a lot of herbs.

Grow plus tiered planter (SHS19154) is a lovely way to grow trailing herbs, such as thyme, along with upright and bushy herbs. It makes great use of space with three tiers of planting possible in each of the troughs. And that top trough is easy to plant as you won’t be scrabbling around on the floor with an aching back or creaking knees. All the wood is pressure treated so the planter has a 15 year guarantee against rot and is easy to put together. It really makes an attractive feature in any garden. The planter is 0.6m x 0.9m allowing it to fit into most garden spaces.

Devon table planter (SHS12865) stands high and proud on sturdy legs. It is the perfect planter if you have reduced mobility or simply want to make full use of space. All the wood is pressure treated resulting in a whopping 15 year guarantee against rot and the planting area is large so you can grow a super collection of herbs. Easily assembled in a couple of hours, ensure you have plenty of drainage holes in the base of the planter before planting up. The planter stands 87cm high and is 1m wide and 0.5m deep.

The Half log planter (SHS20366) will add bags of rustic charm to your garden. Plus, the 0.9m x 0.9m growing space is perfect for masses of herbs of all types. The wood is pressure treated so is guaranteed against rot for 15 years. The planter holds around 200 litres of compost (add grit to keep it well drained). As you'd expect, it is easy to assemble. Once planted up your plants will thrive and reward you with fresh herbs every day of the year.

Growmere planter set (SHS20323) is the perfect way to get a set of three planters into your garden allowing you to grow big and bold herbs with smaller creeping types. The biggest planter is great for fennel whilst the smallest is the one for creeping thymes. Any of the mint family will enjoy the middle size without running the risk of having it everywhere in the garden. The set of three planters is stylish and the wood is pressure treated so they all carry a 15 year guarantee against rot. Each planter is slightly raised off the ground to enable great drainage and, if you choose not to grow all the year round, they are stackable so space saving.

Whichever planter you choose, you’ll love the reward of fresh, home-grown herbs for your cooking.

There is a time and place when plastic garden storage is the perfect solution for keeping your gardening paraphernalia safe and snug. Plastic stores are easy to assemble and require little or no maintenance. They can also combine superb practicality with stunning good looks. What’s not to like?

Wooden garden storage is great but does need regular maintenance. Repainting or re-staining is a must every couple of years on models that have been dip treated, but plastic stores at the very most need a wash down with warm, soapy water to remove any algae. And that’s only if they have been tucked away in a dark corner of the garden. And that’s it. They are also easier to assemble than metal or wooden stores. Simply slot or click the plastic panels together and within minutes a store can be up and storing. There’s no need for drills and helpful neighbours. All it takes is a quick read of the instructions, layout the pieces and get clicking.

Plastic garden storage is also impervious to water ingress and insect damage. Being constructed from plastic, the stores are lightweight and easy to manoeuvre around a garden. But once happy with a position, they are also easy to secure down and padlock. Both are essential aspects to utilising a plastic store to its full potential. After all, when larger models are filled with gardening products the value is high. A secure and easily fitted padlock is a must as your insurance company may insist on one.  Even if it doesn’t, a bit of security gives you peace of mind.

After years of specialised production techniques and research, the actual materials used in their manufacture have improved beyond measure. Sunlight no longer degrades the colour of quality plastic storage stores nor do panels buckle or twist in high temperatures. Not only are they highly durable and practical but plastic stores are also great looking. Rattan lookalike stores will complement the trendiest of garden furniture.

Some models of plastic storage have been designed with one purpose in mind. Wheelie bins for example are difficult to love especially when they loom wherever you seem to look in the garden. A resin wheelie bin store turns an ugly feature into a well disguised focal point.

But a plastic store needn’t just be a store. Clever designs have resulted in stores also doubling up as seating. Now that’s fantastic use of space in any sized garden. Wicker seats, rattan benches and resin patio storage benches are all practical and stylish. Just imagine, masses of storage space and a piece of garden furniture all rolled into one. That’s a great investment.

There’s also a range of sizes and styles to fit and answer most gardening needs. All are long lasting and easily put together. Every one of them is easily secured and none need any attention for decades. Surely plastic is the perfect solution to your storage needs in any garden.

Quality garden tools are worth looking after. And that starts with careful and clever storage in a shed or garage. This not only keeps them and you safe from accidents, it also makes them easily accessible as and when you need them. Keeping tools tidy needn’t be an expensive project.

Reusing old coat hangers as tool-horses is a great way to reuse something that clogs up a wardrobe. Wire hangers are easily manipulated into hooks for tools. They are also easily secured to a wooden shed or garage. A few nails bashed into a wooden framework is one place to start when hanging up hand tools but actual tool hooks are also available. Screw them in place and hang up trowels, forks, spades and rakes.

Pieces of strong dowel can be fixed onto battens and a near instant tool rack is the result. Screw the whole lot to the wooden frame of a garage or shed, and spades and their like can be lifted off the floor saving clutter.

Wooden pallets are difficult to break up and dispose of so reusing as a clever piece of tool storage has to be a great idea. Stood on their ends, the gap between the top and base of the pallet is perfect for sliding in the handles of tools. There they will be stored for easy access when you need them.  Large tubes (look out for the thick cardboard inners of carpet rolls - often found if you do a bit of skip rummaging) can be cut into short lengths and again these can be used as tool holders.

Even broken tools can have an afterlife helping fellow tools last for years. Secure the head of a rake onto a wall of a shed and you have upward pointing prongs perfect for hanging hand tools, string, in fact any bits and bobs you need quickly.

Hosepipes can seem to have a mind and spirit of their own but can be neatly stored by using a car wheel hub. You can pick them up for next to nothing - or even nothing if too damaged and corroded for use on a car. You can, if the fancy takes you, spray paint them to match any gardening design and then bolt them to the outside of a shed or garage. Then it’s a simple case of winding the hosepipe around the hub and, voila: hose under control, the whole place tidied up and - most importantly -  the pipe is ready for use.

So, whether it’s a big storage project (if you want to save time or just don't think your DIY skills are honed enough yet, then ready-made units are available that simply slot together) or something as simple as screwing jam jar lids to the underside of a shelf and rotating the jars in and out (once filled with all those nuisance nails and labels) the results are fundamentally the same:  a tidier space, easily found tools and a happier garden.

A garage only becomes a great garage when everything is tidy, tucked away safely, and easily accessible. Simply throwing everything in and slamming shut the door isn’t good enough. And just think, with a little organisation there may even be room for your car. There’s a novel thought! Take a look at some of our top storage ideas.

It is easy to bolt and screw simple shelving to a wooden garage. Always make sure that whatever you use is securely fitted as the weight put onto shelves and units can be large. Sawn down planks of wood are often a first choice, but a 4-tier bolted black shelving unit is even better. Constructed from galvanised steel the unit won’t rust and is sturdy enough to carry 30kg. The unit is easily constructed and the shelves are adjustable so that you always maximise the available space. Size options are available if four tiers are too many.

If shelving is too grand for your own garage, it is still a great idea to screw a few tool hooks to get spades, forks and rakes off the floor. If left languishing they will become trip hazards and will either get damaged or damage you. The space at the apex of a garage is often underused so it’s a good idea to sling and secure some strong rope to hold longer tools or those essential long off cuts of wood. They will only come in handy if you can quickly get your hands on them. Tubes with a large diameter are superb at holding dowelling, pipes and lengths of architrave. Keep things tidy for quick use. It’s a great place to store those awkward ladders.

Screws, bolts and nails often clog up a garage but are easily sorted by using jam jars. Cleaned, dried and with the lids screwed firmly to the underside of a shelf, using jam jars results in straight lines of graded bits and bobs. All you need to do is screw the whole jar away from the secured lid, use what you need and replace the jar into the lid. Simple. Effective.

Whatever you decide to utilise to get tools, water cans, nails and all your gardening bits and bobs sorted ensure units are bolted to the garage frame to prevent anything from toppling forward. Only screw into sound wood and never underestimate the total amount of weight you pile onto the shelving. Bags of compost and fertiliser soon begin to add up. And don’t neglect that roof space or vital corner units. Even a large garage quickly gets full.

And ideally plan your garage storage options when the garage is new, empty and ready to receive all your gardening gubbins. That doesn’t, however, mean that established garages can be ignored. With a little planning, most cars can be safely housed in their garages. Honest!

A corner shed makes full use of those awkward spots in the garden and can, with a little creativity and imagination, be much more than a simple shed.

Running power to a shed opens up a lot of possibilities. Lighting will help you use the shed beyond the hours of daylight and can convert a shed, with a little insulation, into anything from a home office to a back-garden pub. We look at some different ideas to help you make the most of your shed this year.

Uses for corner sheds

The peace and tranquillity in your garden can be utilised to great effect by converting your corner shed into mini library. Books are beautiful but can clutter up a house. Shelving, lighting, an old comfy chair and you'll never want to leave your own reading room. And no television noise in the background.

Unless you do want to convert your shed into a mini cinema or television lounge! Power is obviously essential but so is security if you are planning on including televisions and computers in your corner shed. Always have a qualified electrician to connect your shed and ensure all safety procedures are strictly adhered to. And that security – do alarm your corner shed conversion, obviously lock it in accordance with your insurance company policy and do tell that company what you have in the shed. Added security lighting is vital.

A corner shed is the ideal structure to convert into a relaxation room. After a hard day weeding and digging in the garden, you deserve the chance and place to sit down, put your feet up and admire your hard work. Choose a shed with plenty of windows so you get the best views and maybe install a few blinds just in case you fancy a snooze in the afternoon sun.

Another option for your corner shed is kitting it out for your own home gym (check for sturdy floors just in case you drop the kettle bells). No more excuses about not wanting to drive all the way to the gym!

Create your own art studio. It will still need a sturdy floor and it's a good move to check out the natural light. Always check out the head space before embarking on any project to prevent disappointment or injury.

You could, of course, use your corner shed to store your gardening bits and bobs in. Furniture and accompanying cushions are bulky, often clutter up a workaday shed or even worse, result in dragging things from a distant garage or house. Fancy that – a shed used to store things in. How quaint! It'll never catch on.

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A greenhouse makes so much more of the gardening year. You can start growing early in spring, you can finish late in autumn and you can keep things looking great over winter. But a greenhouse can take up a lot of space. You do after all need a few feet all around a traditional greenhouse for maintenance and to allow light into the structure. So, if you want a greenhouse but are limited on space, look no further than a lean to greenhouse. They are fantastic.

A lean to does what it says in the name – they lean against a wall. I’ve seen them leaning against sturdy fencing to great effect. The pent shape roof then slopes downwards and, voila, you have a superb growing area.

Three benefits of a lean to greenhouse

1. Size: Lean-tos can be small – capable of growing a growbag of tomatoes or a few tender plants – or as big as you want. Or, to be accurate, as big as the wall.
2. Structure: The wall acts as a superb backdrop to the greenhouse and shelving can easily be fixed to sound brick structures.
3. Heat: It’s also wonderful for keeping things warm. The sun will warm the wall which, in turn, radiates the heat back into the structure at night keeping things cosy.

Planning for a lean to greenhouse

There are a couple of points worth thinking about when planning your lean to. Whatever wall or fence you are leaning it against has to be absolutely sound, straight and not liable to crumble or rot. It is, after all, providing essential support. Check that nothing overhangs the planned position of the lean-to and do ensure you can get to the roof and sides for regular maintenance and cleaning.

Then you have the nice points to remember! Make your lean to as big as your budget or space allows. Every greenhouse owner says that, after a year, they are running out of space. And the same thing goes for lean-tos. Always ensure you create easy access to and into the lean to. Shelves – should be easy to remove so that your space is adaptable. Little seedlings do tend to grow into big plants especially after all your care and attention. Shelves that are easily removed will allow better usage.

To really get the best from your lean to, investigate heating and insulation. A cold lean-to, ie unheated, will keep a degree or two of cold off your plants but a hard frost may still kill off tender seedlings and plants. Heaters are as cheap or as expensive as you want (running electricity to your lean-to is the ultimate – heating, lighting and propagators – nice!) and insulation is simple to install. In the heat of summer, you may well want to consider putting shading up as any extreme temperature will put plants under stress.

Shop our range of lean to greenhouses