Supporting Allotments and Community Gardening in Preston
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
At Let’s Grow Preston, we are proud to currently work with eight allotment sites across Preston, helping local gardeners grow food, share resources, and support the wider community. Our mission is to make gardening accessible, sustainable, and rewarding for everyone.
Our Allotment Sites
We support the following allotments across Preston:
Penwortham East
Penwortham West
Haslam Park
Sharoe Green
Deepdale
Serpentine 1
Serpentine 2
Serpentine 3
By working with these sites, we help ensure that local gardeners have the tools, seeds, and guidance they need to grow fresh, healthy produce throughout the season.
Seed and Seedling Support
At the start of the growing season, we provide seeds and seedlings to allotment site representatives. These are shared among allotment holders to kickstart the season and encourage vibrant, productive gardens.
Harvesting and Food Redistribution
During the summer months, we collect surplus fruit and vegetables from allotments on a weekly basis for around 8–12 weeks. This surplus produce is distributed to food banks around Preston, providing fresh, nutritious food to those in need.
Using the Harvestometer tool, we track the impact of our work in terms of:
Meal value – the number of meals generated
Monetary value – estimated cost savings for recipients
Carbon value – environmental benefits of redistributing food
In 2023 alone, our network collected the equivalent of over 17,000 meals, helping to support both people and the planet.
Resources for Community Groups and Gardeners
We aim to support community environmental groups across Preston in every way possible. By joining the Let’s Grow Preston network, your group can access shared resources designed to save money, connect with others, and grow greener spaces.
Public Liability Insurance
Many groups face the challenge of affording Public Liability Insurance, which is essential for running gardening activities and small public events. Let’s Grow Preston offers free Public Liability Insurance to eligible member groups.
Eligibility:
Covers gardening and environmental activities
Includes small public events such as open days
Must be based in Preston and part of the Let’s Grow Preston network
This initiative is one of the few community-based schemes providing free insurance to local groups, helping reduce financial pressure and enabling safe participation.
Plants, Tools, and Materials
We work with local suppliers and receive donations of plants, seeds, compost, tools, and other gardening materials, which are redistributed across our network. We also reuse materials from previous projects to reduce waste and support more groups.
If your group could benefit from resources, you can:
Contact us directly
Visit Ashton Walled Garden
Submit a request through our community garden wishlist
Our Community Wishlist
The Let’s Grow Preston Community Wishlist is a simple way for members to request the items they need for gardens, green spaces, and community projects.
Whether it’s seeds, tools, compost, or larger materials, the wishlist helps us understand the needs across our network and distribute resources efficiently. Thanks to generous donations, we’ve already redistributed:
Greenhouses and sheds
Plants and seeds
Gardening tools
Compost and soil
Building materials such as wood and gravel
By sharing resources, we reduce waste and help more people grow.
Members can submit requests at any time, and donors are welcome to contribute new or used items to support the community.
Why Join our Free Let’s Grow Preston Members Network?
Joining our network comes with a range of benefits:
Access to shared resources and materials
Free Public Liability Insurance
Opportunities to connect with other local groups
Share knowledge, ideas, and support
Take part in training, events, and collaborative projects
We are a friendly, supportive community working together to grow greener spaces across Preston.
Working Together for a Greener Preston
At Let’s Grow Preston, we believe in collaboration, sharing, and making the most of what we have. Whether your group is just starting out or is already running a project, we are here to provide guidance, resources, and encouragement every step of the way.
Together, we can make Preston’s allotments and community gardens thriving spaces for people, plants, and the planet.
FAQ: Supporting Allotments and Community Gardening in Preston
Which allotment sites does Let’s Grow Preston support?
We work with eight allotment sites across Preston: Penwortham East, Penwortham West, Haslam Park, Sharoe Green, Deepdale, Serpentine 1, Serpentine 2, and Serpentine 3.
How does Let’s Grow Preston help allotment holders?
We provide seeds and seedlings at the start of the growing season, collect surplus fruit and vegetables during summer, and redistribute them to local food banks. We track the impact using the Harvestometer tool.
What resources are available for community gardening groups?
Network members can access plants, seeds, compost, gardening tools, pots, and other materials. We also offer guidance, training, and opportunities to connect with other local groups.
Does Let’s Grow Preston provide Public Liability Insurance?
Yes. Eligible member groups in Preston can receive free Public Liability Insurance for gardening and environmental activities, including small public events such as open days.
What is the Community Wishlist?
The Community Wishlist lets members request plants, tools, compost, or other materials for their gardens or projects. Donors can contribute new or used items to help support the network.
How can my group join the Let’s Grow Preston network?
Groups can join by filling out our member interest form. Membership gives access to shared resources, free insurance, training, community connections, and support for gardening and environmental projects.
How does Let’s Grow Preston help reduce waste?
We redistribute surplus produce, reuse materials from previous projects, and share resources across our network, helping to reduce waste while supporting more community gardening projects.
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