Allotment Cost Calculator

Work out the real cost of running a UK allotment — rent, setup and ongoing — in under a minute

Estimate Your Allotment Costs

Edit the numbers to match your plot — everything updates instantly

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  • Allotment rent (per year)£60
  • Raised beds (4 × £40)£160
  • Compost & topsoil£120
  • Seeds, plants & sets£50
  • Tools (one-off)£80
  • Water / butt£20
  • Other (canes, netting, fertiliser)£30
Year-one total£520
Ongoing yearly cost£160

What Does an Allotment Actually Cost?

Annual rent

Most UK councils charge £25–£125 per year for a full plot (around 250m²). Half-plots are roughly half that. Concessions of 50% or more are common for pensioners, students and people on benefits — ask your council.

Setup costs (year one)

Most new allotmenteers spend £200–£500 setting up: raised beds (or boards), compost, basic tools, a water butt, fleece and netting. Going no-dig with council green-waste compost can slash this dramatically — see our no-dig allotment guide.

Ongoing yearly costs

Once established, expect £100–£200 a year for seeds, plants, compost top-ups, replacement netting and fertiliser. Saving your own seed and dividing perennials brings this down further.

What you save

An average UK allotment produces £400–£800 of veg per year once established — and far more if you grow high-value crops like raspberries, garlic, salad leaves and asparagus. Within two seasons most plot holders are well in profit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Make Every Bed Pay Back

Plan your highest-value crops in our free allotment planner