Nature

Hard to come by in a busy, noisy city? Possibly, unless you know where to look! So, that's exactly what I did and claimed a slice of the good life for myself!

For the past six years now, I have been the proud occupier of a plot in Garscube allotments, some 104 plots and three and a half acres in the North of the city, with a huge range of folk from older established gardeners to relative newbie's like myself digging, planting, sharing and most importantly eating our own produce!

Glasgow has 14 council sites and many privately owned plots, with a waiting list of four years and 3000 people on lists in Scotland most of whom are younger people wishing to beat the recession by growing their own vegetables.

So why are plots in such high demand? "It’s an ideal environment – clear air, leisure, it gets folk out of the house, keeps you fit", says 70-year-old Billy Smith one of the plot holders. Mick Donnelly keeps a very ordered plot, a hangover from his days in the Navy and he agrees with Billy: "people are getting more alert to the environment and green issues and it's a good way to get out of the house".

There are break-ins, 48 in the last two years, which is upsetting but community spirit pulls together and it is the sharing of excess crops that is part of the allotment spirit; growing different varieties and swapping seeds to save money, whilst getting to know neighbouring plot holders.

I asked Mick what the best thing about having a plot is: "Company, friendship, having a giggle and a laugh" is his reply.

Most plots are organic, and we all compost and use manure to improve the quality of the soil. Of course there is a ready supply of advice whether you want it or not, and you can read all the gardening books going, but first-hand advice is priceless.

I have been bringing my six-year-old up to the plot since she was six months old, as we don't have access to a garden and although we frequent the parks it is the wildness of the allotment that we like.

Yes, allotments are the way forward, just look at Michele Obama digging up the White house Lawn to grow an organic garden and you will see that people are waking up to the need for cheaper, healthier and more ecological produce. Why not go for it? It's worth waiting for.

Garscube Allotments is holding an open day on 15 August, 1400-1700, as part of Scotland's gardens scheme.