Welcome to Inverleith Allotments
We’ve compiled this to get you started on the right foot. There’s a lot to know but we want you to feel ‘at home’ and to enjoy yourself on your plot. Also available online at www.inverleithallotments.org.uk/welcome-pack.html

If you haven‘t had much chance to grow vegetables, fruit, herbs etc. elsewhere, do ask your neighbouring plot holders or committee members, as listed on our noticeboards ( two, each beside the gates into the site). We are all very happy to share advice.
There are many years of knowledge and expertise to be shared with you. They will know the soil and what will grow well, sources of manure, seaweed etc. to feed the soil and the best times of the year to sow. They also may have spare plants to give you.
A seed swap box is attached to the West notice board, you’ll find spare packets of seed but please try to leave something in return.
There are many years of knowledge and expertise to be shared with you. They will know the soil and what will grow well, sources of manure, seaweed etc. to feed the soil and the best times of the year to sow. They also may have spare plants to give you.
A seed swap box is attached to the West notice board, you’ll find spare packets of seed but please try to leave something in return.
Keeping up to date with what's going on, we have a newsletter, subscribe via the website at www.inverleithallotments.org.uk.
A thriving WhatsApp group is also set up. Join ‘Inverleith Allotmenteers’ using https://chat.whatsapp.com/DxjwYjIILrEGxgGsOW47Wo
A thriving WhatsApp group is also set up. Join ‘Inverleith Allotmenteers’ using https://chat.whatsapp.com/DxjwYjIILrEGxgGsOW47Wo

We recommend you join FEDAGA; our allotment Federation. You'll find details of cost on your allotment bill from the Council. They are our representatives with the Council, help set allotment strategy and supply discounted seeds and seed potatoes, onions etc. They email a newsletter each month to all members with useful information, upcoming events and advice. Their website is www.fedaga.org.uk.

For everyone’s security you must lock the gate after you’ve used it. Be careful to lock it correctly. Shut the gate and slide the bar across, lock using the padlock in the hole in the bar nearest the hinge. If you use the other one people can’t get into the site The gate key is NOT copyable. If you need a replacement or extra key then contact the Allotment Officer who will have allocated you your plot.

Green waste makes excellent compost and returns goodness to your soil. We encourage everyone to compost on their plots. If you have surplus then you can use the communal compost bins close to the West gate. However, you must follow the guidelines written HUGE on the side of the bins. We produce very good compost, please don’t spoil it.
The Communal Bins were initially created after problems with green waste being put in the Trade Waste bins. IMPORTANT to note that the black bins by the West Gate are for Glass, Wood and Plastic only.
The Communal Bins were initially created after problems with green waste being put in the Trade Waste bins. IMPORTANT to note that the black bins by the West Gate are for Glass, Wood and Plastic only.
We are fortunate to have mains water on site but please be aware it is metered and charged back to the Allotment Service who pay from the city’s allotment budget. The more we waste, the less is left for site maintenance and other essentials. You’ll find plants prefer rain water anyway, collect water from your shed gutter in a covered water butt. The cover stops green algae forming.
Sadly, we don’t have a toilet. The nearest is at the Royal Botanical Gardens at the Eastern end of the park. We’re hopeful that in the next year or two there will be a loo in the park or a composting one installed on site.
Dogs must be on leads, always. Children are welcome but they must be kept on your plot whilst you are on site. Bear in mind allotments are actually quite dangerous places. Look around at child level and you’ll see bamboo sticks at eye level, paths can have a drop into plots, broken glass is quite common too. Please stay safe.
Bonfires are not allowed from the beginning of May to the end of September. If you really need to burn it, never leave a fire untended. Better still use an incinerator which reduces smoke and is much safer. and some kind of container to bum things in makes things much safer.
Sadly, we don’t have a toilet. The nearest is at the Royal Botanical Gardens at the Eastern end of the park. We’re hopeful that in the next year or two there will be a loo in the park or a composting one installed on site.
Dogs must be on leads, always. Children are welcome but they must be kept on your plot whilst you are on site. Bear in mind allotments are actually quite dangerous places. Look around at child level and you’ll see bamboo sticks at eye level, paths can have a drop into plots, broken glass is quite common too. Please stay safe.
Bonfires are not allowed from the beginning of May to the end of September. If you really need to burn it, never leave a fire untended. Better still use an incinerator which reduces smoke and is much safer. and some kind of container to bum things in makes things much safer.

The Allotment ‘Conference Centre’ is the northern one of the two sheds at the West Gate. It has edging clippers and a couple of lawnmowers for keeping paths cut. Ask a key holding committee member for access. We also keep a small library of books and magazines with lots of growing information. These days, the Internet has a huge amount of good articles and videos on growing.
In the summer we have our Annual General Meeting, a ‘Tattie Boiling’ social and our own site Flower and Vegetable Show.
There is great Biodiversity on site. Most is quite harmless but some will try to eat your crops. You'll soon get the idea to net cabbages and use mesh coverings. Just ask! Most of us are careful not to use herbicides and pesticides.
In the summer we have our Annual General Meeting, a ‘Tattie Boiling’ social and our own site Flower and Vegetable Show.
There is great Biodiversity on site. Most is quite harmless but some will try to eat your crops. You'll soon get the idea to net cabbages and use mesh coverings. Just ask! Most of us are careful not to use herbicides and pesticides.
Welcome, have fun with lots of exercise, good company and food you will enjoy growing and eating.
A site map is available here which may help you navigate around.
There are rules of course. Please read and understand –
Edinburgh Council
Our own site rules