Hillingdon Allotment and Horticultural Federation: Links

Links to Useful Resources and Websites

You will find links to a wide range of information about allotment gardening, general horticulture and other resources on this page. Just click on the headings below.

Government departments and Local MPs

Discussion groups & Message Boards

Online Guides, Journals and Magazines

Guides, Fact sheets, Policy documents and Reports

General information

Allotment Growing - General advice about growing vegetables, fruit and herbs.

Allotment and Gardens Council UK
This Council has been set up to represent allotment holders and societies.

Allotment Regeneration Initiative
An initiative is funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation to promote regeneration of allotments. The web site contains information about various projects, regeneration initiatives, and access to grants. Most of their publications are available online.

BBC - Gardening
A wide range of information about gardening programmes, plants, and resources.

Britain in Bloom
This is a large horticultural campaign to encourage individuals and communities improve their local area by various measures. It is organised by the RHS with support from Shredded Wheat.

Carry on Gardening
A special gardening web site from Thrive (the charity that promotes the benefit of gardening for people with a disability).

Hillingdon Adult Education
Provides various part-time courses for adults. Details of horticultural courses are also available.

Lawn Experts
A specialist site about lawn care.

London Borough of Hillingdon - Greenspaces
Provides information about allotments and other green spaces in the borough.

Museum of Garden History
Information about the history of gardens and gardening in the UK.

National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens
This is the main centre for information about national plant collections.

Natural England
Promotes conservation of the natural environment and wild life. This web site contains information about developments in rural, urban, costal and marine areas.

National Allotment Gardens Trust
The trust aims to promote allotment gardening by organising 'National Allotment Week' and the Best Allotment Site' competition. The competition is in conjunction with Kitchen Garden magazine. There are three categories: Best Allotment Site; Best Community Project; Best Shed.

National Garden Scheme
This is a charitable trust that provides access to a wide range of private gardens that are open to the public. The gardens are usually listed in the famous 'Yellow book'.

Starting an Allotment
Royal Horticultural Society guide about finding a plot, clearing the area and working the plot. Links to advise about soil cultivation and crop rotation.

The Pesticides Safety Directorate
Information about various pesticides and guidelines for gardeners.

World Wide Health Directory
This site contains links to a wide range of resources.

Government Departments, Local Council and MPS

Communities and Local Government
A wide range of information about local developments.

DEFRA
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

New Local Government Network
Interesting document about allotments 'Can You Dig It'

United Kingdom Parliament
General information and links to local MPs

London Borough of Hillingdon
Information about the borough with links to Council services and publications

Nick Hurd - Member of Parliament for Ruislip and Northwood.

John McDonnell - Member of Parliament for Hayes and Harlington.

John Randall - Member of Parliament for Uxbridge

Horticultural Societies

Brogdale
This is the home of the national fruit collection. It belongs to the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). There are special fruit festivals during year.

Garden Organic
Formerly known as the Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA). The society promotes organic gardening and farming.

Ickenham and Swakeleys Horticultural Society
Details about various events shows and talks are available on their web site

National Association of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners
The Association promotes the preservation of allotment gardening. Members have opportunity to purchase seeds at discount rate from Kings Seeds.

National Vegetable Society
This site is mainly for gardeners who are interested in growing vegetables.

Royal Botanic Gardens - Kew
An inspiring organisation that seeks to deliver science-based plant conservation across the world.

Royal Horticultural Society
Promotes good gardening and horticulture.
The web site won the New Media Award in 2006. It contains a wide range of information, resources, gardening advice, news, gardeners' calender, details of RHS events and gardens. plus the plant finder. There is also a special section about growing vegetables.

Ruislip Central Horticultural Society
Details about various events, shows and talks are available on their web site

Streamside Horticultural Association
The association was formed in 1940 during the 'Dig for Victory' campaign. It is based in Pinner, Middlesex. Membership is open to gardeners from other areas. They stock a wide range of products in their trading hut.

Discussion Groups & Message Boards

Allotment 4 All
This is an interesting discussion forum. Most of the members are allotment holders. It covers a wide range of topics. Also contains a useful directory and photographs from various members.

Allotments UK
A directory of allotment links and information.

BBC Gardening Message Boards
Interesting discussions: Garden design; Allotment tales; Garden Clinic; TV gardening

London Allotment Network
The network is designed to connect allotment communities in greater London. There are interesting links, general news and discussions.

Online Calenders, Guides, Journals, Magazines

Bayer Garden Doctor
Bayer manufactures a wide range of garden products. The garden doctor section contains information about common problems and diseases.

BBC Gardeners' Calender
A seasonal guide with daily tips. Try out the interactive planner.

Gardener’s Click
This interactive site is designed to create an online community of gardeners nationally and internationally. Users can create their own profile; share news, views, photographs and questions. You can catch up with some of the gardening programmes and presenters.

Gardeners World Magazine - News, advice section, plant features, diary of gardening jobs, various projects.

Horticulture Week
News about gardeners, pest and disease, garden centres and retail. Focus on special plants. Discussion forums and Blogs.

Kitchen Garden
News, monthly advice, discussion forum. The article archive contains lots of information from previous journals.

Kitchen Garden TV
A series of short video demonstrations from the Kitchen Garden raised bed plot in Grantham.

RHS Gardening Calender
A comprehensive guide with a search facility.

RHS Grow Your Own Veg
An online guide about growing and cooking vegetables, a monthly calender, and lots of tip.

RHS Gardening Directory
Opportunity to search for businesses and exhibitors. Also organised in categories.

The Grow Your Own Channel
This is a free broadband internet TV channel for allotment growers. There are lots of tips and advice. The content is expanding.

RHS Courses
A range of courses for gardeners.

The Garden
Royal Horticultural Society monthly journal.

Guides, Fact sheets, Policy documents and Reports

The Communities and Local Government department contains a number of interesting comments and publications about allotments.

Allotment Plot Holders Guide
The Allotment Regenerative Initiative revised and updated the guide in 2007. The new document is a useful introduction allotments, it contains a wide range of information.

Allotment Regeneration Initiative Library
The resources are organised in categories: ARI fact sheets, newsletters, seminar reports; Fund raising and income generation; General site management; Devolved management; Health and safety; Law and allotments; Improving access; Research reports and statistics; Tackling vandalism and other offences on sites.

Bloom Review
Royal Horticultural Society review of the Britain in Bloom competition in 2009.

Growing in the Community
A good practice guide about management of allotments. It contains information about policies and relevant legislation. Published by the Local Government Association.

Survey of Allotments and City Farms
The survey was conducted by Derby University in 2006