Allotments and growing spaces - Existing growing spaces

The Council does not manage any allotment sites but supports the formation of community Allotment Associations and many types of growing spaces.  Locations of active growing groups with contact details are available on our Food Growing Storymap (opens new window).

You can use this form to register your interest (opens new window) if you're looking to have your own food growing space or allotment.  Further support for those planning to form their own growing group may be found on our page of useful resources.

Allotment or community garden?

Allotments and community gardens are two different arrangements, however they may both be in operation within the same site.  The legislation covering allotments dates back to the 1892 Allotments (Scotland) Act. Allotment plot holders grow produce of their own choosing, in their own way and for their own use (families and friends), while a community garden is looked after jointly and there will be an agreement about how to share out produce.

Here are a some of the different types of food growing spaces that you can become involved in.

Allotments

Allotments may be on land which is owned or leased by the Council or on private land used wholly or mainly for the cultivation of vegetables, fruit, herbs or flowers.  Usually the area is divided into individual plots and it's the responsibility of each individual plot holder to take care of their designated piece of land. Traditionally an allotment plot is 250m², (about the size of a tennis court) however the size can be smaller. Individual plots provide an opportunity to socialise as part of the larger group or work alone in peace and quiet.

Community gardens and fields

An area of land that's typically shared equally between volunteers and often extends further than just growing fruit and vegetables, for example, for education and training, upgrading underused, vacant and derelict land or for community building, resilience and recreation. Due to it being a shared area, a community garden is typically more social, however the design can offer quieter areas.

Urban farms

Urban farms are often located within or around the edge of settlements and are similar to community gardens and fields. Urban agriculture however, assumes a level of commerce where the produce is normally sold for profit, for example, as a commercial social enterprise or community-led trade. Urban farms can strengthen the resilience of the urban food system and can enhance access to nutritious food for all.

Community orchards

Orchards and woodland are shared resources, managed and often owned by local residents. Besides food production they can contribute to improving and creating habitats, building resistance against urbanisation and climate change impacts. Orchards are normally identified as areas where there's a minimum of 5 fruit trees. Soft fruit within hedgerows adds to diversity and is a source of food for wildlife as well as people. Orchards may be located within parks, school grounds or woodland areas.

Edible hedges, herbs and raised beds

Community groups and individuals can seek permission from landowners including the Council to pursue less formal growing activities such as growing in civic areas and underused spaces. Herbs and vegetables grown in containers can be appropriate in some spaces, in others, creating raised beds and other growing structures as well as boundaries such as edible hedges may be possible. These types of growing opportunities usually demand less land than others.

Garden share schemes and home growing

Garden share schemes such as 'Lend and tend (opens new window)' are arrangements between private householders where those with surplus garden space are matched with those who are on the lookout for growing areas. Gardening at home, including growing in containers or window boxes, may be less social but still has many health and environmental benefits.

Annual allotment reports

This is the second Annual Allotment report (2023) (Word doc, 44 KB) to be published by PKC and provides the most up to date information on allotment sites across Perth and Kinross since the Food Growing Strategy (FGS) was published in 2021.

Past reports

• PKC Annual Allotment Report 2022 (Word doc, 166 KB)