Allotment plot planner
Draft: preview builds only.
Enter your plot size (a standard plot, an area in square metres or poles, or its length and width), how much is already clear and the hours you've got. Pick the crops you'd like to grow. The planner draws your plot to scale with beds and paths, sets up a 4-year rotation, and works out how many plants fit.
Allotment plot planner
Worked example
For a half plot (5 poles, about 126 m²), a quarter already clear, 4 hours a week, a shed and compost bays:
- 10 beds of 1.2 m with 45 cm paths, beds running across a plot about 19.5 m by 6.5 m
- Rotation: 8 beds in four groups, moving one step each year
- Broad beans: room for about 64 plants; Onions (sets): room for about 256 plants; Cabbage: room for about 56 plants; Carrots: room for about 1480 plants; Potatoes: room for about 86 plants; Courgettes: room for about 14 plants
- Clearing: about 95 m² to clear, roughly 12 weeks at 4 hours a week (our rule of thumb of 2 m² an hour)
- A 5 cm compost mulch over all the beds: about 3.9 m³, or 78 bags of 50 litres
Based on: National Allotment Society (NSALG), RHS. Crop spacing from RHS grow-your-own guides.
How the planner works
- Plot size. A traditional full plot is 10 poles, about 250 m². One square pole is 25.29 m².
- Beds and paths. Beds run across the plot, 1.2 m wide with 45 cm paths unless you change them. A 1.2 m bed lets most people reach the middle from either side without standing on the soil.
- Rotation. Crops are grouped as in the RHS approach: peas, beans and onions; the cabbage family; roots; and potatoes with tomatoes. Each group moves one bed along every year.
- Plant counts. Spacing comes from RHS grow-your-own guidance for each crop, rounded down so you don't overbuy. Your seed packet wins if it says something different.
- Clearing time. We use a rule of thumb of 2 m² an hour for clearing by hand. It's our estimate, not a measured figure. Brambles and couch grass will take longer.
What it doesn't do
- It doesn't show yields. We haven't found a source we trust for allotment yields, and they vary hugely with soil, weather and variety.
- It doesn't know your site rules. Check whether sheds, polytunnels and fruit cages are allowed, and at what size, before you build.
- It doesn't save anything to our servers. Your plan stays in your browser.
FAQs
How big is a half allotment plot?
A half plot is usually 5 poles, about 125 m². Sites vary, so check the size on your tenancy agreement.
Can I use the planner for a back garden?
Yes. Choose "Length × width" and enter your veg patch. The rotation and plant counts work the same way.
Why are some crops marked "awaiting check"?
We're checking every crop's spacing and sowing months against its RHS source. Until a row has been checked, the planner shows it but says so.
Sources
- National Allotment Society (NSALG): A traditional full allotment plot is 10 poles (rods or perches), about 250 square metres awaiting check
- RHS: RHS crop rotation: group crops (legumes and onions, brassicas, potatoes, roots) and move each group to a new bed every year to limit soil pests and diseases checked 24 Oct 2026