Somerset's Wilder Allotment Awards

How wildlife friendly is your allotment?

There are lots of actions you can take to manage your allotment plot in a way which minimises harmful environmental impacts and creates an inviting space for wildlife. Although allotments are primarily used for growing food, by incorporated wildlife friendly plants and features you can create a mini-ecosystem that’s good for you and good for wildlife.

In order to gain a plaque, you need to demonstrate you are making an effort to welcome wildlife in different ways and practicing environmentally friendly actions. You will need to be doing at least 4 of the actions in section 1, and at least 2 actions from sections 2-5 to achieve a plaque.

Please check all the boxes that apply.

Please note that plaques are only available to Somerset addresses (excluding Bristol and BANES).

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* 1. Section 1 - WILDLIFE FRIENDLY MANAGMENT

Go peat free. Peat is a precious resource, make sure you check all compost and pot plants before buying and, if you have space, make your own compost.

Be conservative with water. There are lots of ways to use less water such as installing water butts, growing drought tolerant plants or avoiding watering during the heat of the day.

Look after your soil. You could practice the no dig method, and/or compost garden & kitchen waste, and/or grow green manures over winter.

Reduce, reuse, recycle. Make the most of what you already have, share and reuse pots, and choose hardwearing items instead of throwaway products.

Go chemical free. Help protect your soil and our water ways. Go easy on “prey” pest such as greenfly and slugs by avoiding pesticides and herbicides. You could use natural alternatives or try companion planting.

Be considerate of wildlife’s home. Avoid cutting back hedges, long grass or shrubby vegetation during bird breeding season (March-September) and always check vegetated areas for wildlife before cutting or strimming.

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* 2. Section 2: FOOD
This section is about how much food your allotment provides for wildlife throughout the year.

Share your produce! Leave some for the birds or provide bird feeders.

Nectar rich single-flowering flowers – such as marigolds which can also be used as a companion plant

Shrubs and small trees with nuts and berries

Flowers, fruit and seeds available throughout the year

Night opening/scented flowers to attract insects (e.g. honeysuckle)

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* 3. Section 3: SHELTER
This section is about whether your allotment provides safe places for wildlife to live, hide and hibernate.

Plant creepers on vertical surfaces or trellis

Dead wood - log piles or big tree stumps

Bird, bat, bug, solitary bee or hedgehog box

Don’t tidy up too soon. Leave some standing stems over winter to protect the soil and shelter invertebrates.

Features for reptiles to bask or use as hibernacula e.g. stone piles or tin sheets

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* 4. Section 4: WATER
Does your allotment help to preserve water resources and provide water for wildlife to drink and as a habitat?

Rain garden – slow the flow by adding a leaking water feature at the end of your drain pipe.

Wildlife pond (can be large or small) - without fish

Bog garden - or permanently wet area

Provide bird bath, bumblebee watering station or other small area of water for wildlife to drink and wash

Save water – e.g. use water butts

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* 5. Section 5 - CONNECTIONS and CORRIDORS
This section is about how joined up your allotment is within the wider landscape, helping wildlife to move and thrive.

Provide a gap in any boundaries for hedgehogs

Mixed native hedge (or "fedge" by covering your fences with climbing vegetation)

Minimise light pollution for bats

Proximity to a stream or other waterbody

Encourage your neighbours and allotment society to be more wildlife friendly!

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* 6. YOUR DETAILS - please provide your FULL address to receive your Allotment plaque.

Name

Address

Postcode

Which Allotment are you part of?

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* 7. Please tick the boxes that confirm how you would like to hear from us.

We promise to never sell your details to other organisations. Please note, if you do not tick any of the boxes we may not be able to share with you details of our work that may be of interest. You can change your communication preferences at any time’ by emailing us at membership@somersetwildlife.org or by calling us on 01823 652429. To find out how we use and protect your personal data and your rights, please see our Privacy Policy.

I would like to Join the Wilder Gardening group to receive quarterly gardening updates.

I would like to sign up to the Team Wilder enews - for monthly updates on training, grants, wildlife recording and community action.

I am interested in finding out more about receiving a personalised wildlife gardening advice visit

I am interested in finding out more about opening my allotment as part of the Wilder Open Garden scheme

I would like to sign up to the SWT monthly enews for updates on the Trusts work.

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* 8. Please use this comment box to tell us about anything you are particularly proud of or interesting wildlife sightings in your allotment:

We may use your anonymised comments to inspire others on our website, social media or e-news.

Somerset's Wilder Allotment Awards

How wildlife friendly is your allotment?

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* 1. Section 1 - WILDLIFE FRIENDLY MANAGMENT

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* 2. Section 2: FOODThis section is about how much food your allotment provides for wildlife throughout the year.

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* 3. Section 3: SHELTERThis section is about whether your allotment provides safe places for wildlife to live, hide and hibernate.

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* 4. Section 4: WATERDoes your allotment help to preserve water resources and provide water for wildlife to drink and as a habitat?

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* 5. Section 5 - CONNECTIONS and CORRIDORSThis section is about how joined up your allotment is within the wider landscape, helping wildlife to move and thrive.

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* 6. YOUR DETAILS - please provide your FULL address to receive your Allotment plaque.

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* 8. Please use this comment box to tell us about anything you are particularly proud of or interesting wildlife sightings in your allotment:We may use your anonymised comments to inspire others on our website, social media or e-news.

* 2. Section 2: FOOD
This section is about how much food your allotment provides for wildlife throughout the year.

* 3. Section 3: SHELTER
This section is about whether your allotment provides safe places for wildlife to live, hide and hibernate.

* 4. Section 4: WATER
Does your allotment help to preserve water resources and provide water for wildlife to drink and as a habitat?

* 5. Section 5 - CONNECTIONS and CORRIDORS
This section is about how joined up your allotment is within the wider landscape, helping wildlife to move and thrive.

* 8. Please use this comment box to tell us about anything you are particularly proud of or interesting wildlife sightings in your allotment:

We may use your anonymised comments to inspire others on our website, social media or e-news.