Landshare schemes allow people who have spare land to offer their land to those nearby who want to grow their own vegetables. Landshare schemes work on the principle that there is a lot of land in the UK that is underused or forgotten, which could be used to cultivate food.

There are thousands of people on waiting lists for allotments in the UK and landshare schemes allow those who want to grow food the chance to do so more easily.

How do landshare schemes work?

• There are websites such as www.landshare.net where you can sign up and advertise whether you have land to share, or if you’re looking for land to grow on
• Build your profile and enter information such as where you live and what you have to offer. Then send messages to other land sharers in order to make a match
• Land owners do not charge any money for the use of their land, but those growing vegetables on the land are expected to maintain it and provide the landowner with a share of the produce (usually around 20%)
• Practicalities such as access hours and time scales are discussed and agreed upon by those involved

Any spare land can be utilised in landshare schemes, such as the top part of your garden. Of particular use to landshare schemes are large areas of public land that are currently unused, such as the surrounding areas of churches or community halls. These spaces can provide growing space for a number of people rather than just one or two.