From Neolithic Fields to Wartime Campaigns: A Brief History of Growing Our Own Food

Since Neolithic times humans have grown their own food. In the beginning, smallholdings would cultivate crops like wheat and barley and by the bronze age, we would grow a wider variety of vegetables like beans, peas and spelt wheat. The first allotments were set up in the 1790s, a period marked by extreme hardship due to starvation wages, post-war food shortages, and poor harvests that devastated rural communities. Originally, the aim was to combat hunger and allotments provided small plots of land for the working poor to grow their own food. They became popular again in the 1830s after the Swing Riots when discontented rural labourers protested against poor working conditions. By the 1870s there was a shift from rural to urban allotments, particularly around new and expanding industrial centres, with cities like Nottingham having around 5000 thousands of these plots at that time.

At the outbreak of World War II, Britain’s heavy reliance on cheap food imports left the nation vulnerable. To combat this, the Ministry of Agriculture launched the Dig for Victory campaign, transforming domestic gardens, public parks, school playing fields, and even the lawns of Oxford colleges into productive allotments to bolster the war effort. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries led a massive educational initiative, distributing leaflets, guides, and short films to teach citizens how to grow their own food. The Dig for Victory campaign was hugely influential in ensuring the British people survived the war and the long-standing aftermath the war brought upon the continent. The number of allotments nearly doubled, and by the end of the war, Britain was feeding a higher proportion of its population from its own land than any other country in the world.

Growing Food in a Modern World: The Challenges of Access, Knowledge, and Convenience

Access to land

Urbanisation and population growth have significantly reduced the availability of affordable land, especially in urban and suburban areas where most people live. High property prices and restrictive laws further complicate access to suitable plots for gardening or farming, making it difficult for individuals to secure space. Allotments, which could provide a viable alternative, are often inaccessible due to long waiting lists and limited availability. In Bristol, you could be behind 7,630 people waiting for a plot and once you’ve secured it, you could be dealing with an overgrown patch of weeds and brambles. Community gardens and shared spaces also face similar challenges, with restricted access and high demand, making it increasingly challenging for those interested in growing their own food to find a suitable place to do so.

Lack of education

Many people lack basic knowledge about gardening, soil health, climate considerations, and sustainable farming practices, which creates a significant barrier to growing their own food. Schools and community programs often do not prioritise agricultural education, resulting in a gap in the skills and confidence needed to start and maintain a garden. Additionally, there is a shortage of accessible and practical resources tailored for beginners or those with limited space, making the process feel intimidating or unachievable for many.

The culture of convenience 

The instant gratification culture, where ready-made and fast solutions are preferred, discourages the time and effort required to grow food. The widespread availability of grocery stores, meal delivery services, and processed foods makes purchasing food far easier than growing it, reinforcing habits of convenience over self-sufficiency. Marketing and societal norms further promote consumption over production, making the idea of growing your own food seem unnecessary or even outdated in today's fast-paced world.

The Importance of Growing Your Own Food: A Resilient Response to a Fragile System

In today’s world, our food systems are intricately connected, often relying on imports from far-off regions to stock our grocery stores and keep our kitchen cupboards full. Countries like Spain, Italy, and parts of Africa play crucial roles in this global food web, providing a significant portion of the fruits, vegetables, and other staples that many of us consume daily. However, these regions are increasingly threatened by desertification – a process where fertile land becomes desert due to drought, deforestation, and unsustainable farming practices. As these areas face environmental challenges, the systems we depend on for food imports become more vulnerable, raising an important question: what happens if these systems collapse?

Growing your own food is more than just a hobby; it’s a step towards self-sufficiency and resilience in the face of potential disruptions. When you cultivate your own garden, even if it’s just a small plot or a collection of pots on a balcony, you’re creating a personal food source that is less susceptible to the fluctuations of global supply chains. By growing your own food, you’re not only gaining fresh and nutritious produce but also reducing your reliance on a fragile system that’s showing signs of strain under the pressure of climate change.

The desertification of key agricultural regions is a stark reminder of how quickly fertile land can become barren, jeopardising the food security of millions. If these regions continue to degrade, the cost of imports will rise, supply chains will be disrupted and the variety of foods available to us will diminish. In such scenarios, communities that have embraced local and personal food production will be better equipped to weather the storm.

In an age where convenience often trumps consideration, it’s crucial to rethink how we approach our food sources. By growing even a small portion of what we eat, we can build a more resilient food system, reduce our carbon footprint, and take an active role in safeguarding our food future against the uncertainties of a changing world. 

Changing the narrative of growing your own: Accessible Allotments, Education, and Community at Roots

Affordable and Accessible Allotments

At Roots, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to grow their own food, no matter their experience or space limitations. That's why we offer a range of allotment plots starting at just £9.99 per month, making it affordable for anyone to get started. Our different plot sizes cater to a variety of needs and goals—from the beginner-friendly micro patch to larger plots ideal for families or groups of friends looking to grow more.

A key aspect of accessibility is our commitment to the no-dig method, which simplifies the gardening process while benefiting the environment. The no-dig approach involves layering organic matter on top of the soil, avoiding the backbreaking work of turning and digging up the ground. This method not only saves time and physical effort but also improves soil structure, encourages healthy plant growth, and reduces weed growth naturally. It’s perfect for beginners, as it requires less labour and less knowledge of soil management, while being equally beneficial for seasoned growers.

Education and Empowerment 

At Roots, we believe that growing your own food shouldn’t be intimidating. Our shared spaces are designed to support you every step of the way. We provide everything you need to get started, from seeds and tools to expert advice and guidance. Through in-person workshops, events, and growing guides, we aim to teach the skills and knowledge necessary for you to cultivate your own garden. Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just starting out, our mission is to empower everyone to reconnect with nature and their food.

Community Spirit

Growing food is about more than just the harvest; it’s about building connections—with nature, with each other, and with the land. Roots fosters a sense of community through shared growing spaces that encourage collaboration and learning. By creating biodiversity-rich environments with fruit orchards, wildflower meadows, and more, we provide spaces for both nature and people to thrive together. Our workshops, events, and shared tools bring people together, offering a supportive environment for both individual growth and collective success. Together, we can show that food can be grown with nature, not against it.

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We create shared spaces for local food production and nature. They provide members with everything they need to get started, from seeds, tools, and plants, to growing advice, whilst fostering community with in-person workshops and events. The spaces consist of a mixture of biodiversity-boosting habitats like native woodland and hedgerows, fruit orchards, insect habitats, ponds, and wildflower meadows. Together we can show that food can be grown with nature and not against it.

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