Keeping an allotment is a great way to connect with nature, get some exercise and meet like-minded people from your local community. While it can also be a way to get into gardening if you don't have your own outdoor space, you'll need some key tools to keep your allotment working well.
We've scoured the internet to find the very best equipment and accessories to use on your next stint at the allotment. Scroll down to find the items you need and discover new favourites.
Beautiful and useful kit for your allotment
Apron
Designed for the keen gardener, this stylish apron from Joules ticks all the boxes.
The cross body straps are long enough to fit different body types and provide plenty of support and secureness, whether you're reaching up or kneeling down to complete your gardening jobs. The apron also has two large front pockets which will provide handy storage space for your tools and gloves.
We also love the navy blue colouring, which shouldn't show up the dirt.
We've rounded up some other stylish gardening aprons in our guide; click on the link to see our current favourites.
Trug
A trug is a handy accessory to have at your allotment; just loop it over your arm as a lightweight carrier for any veg or cut flowers you pick, or use it to collect stray weeds on your way to the compost heap.
Trugs can be expensive, but this one from Burgon & Ball offers durability with a reasonable price tag. It's made from FSC-certified populus wood, held together with brass pins, so it's a stylish option too.
For other designs made with metal and willow, see our full guide to the best trugs you can buy.
Lunch bag
Buy from Life of Riley (£39.00)
Forget big, bulky, ugly looking boxes – stylish lunch bags are the way to go. This chic design is made from waxed canvas with adjustable leather straps, and comes with an insulated PVC lining to keep its contents cool.
The bag is also easy to fold down once empty, thanks to its collapsible design. Choose between three sophisticated colours: navy, khaki and brown.
Seed tin
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A sturdy seed tin is an essential if you want to organise and transport your gardening supplies. We love this stylish number from Suttons, as it's made from powder-coated steel and has a hinged lid, as well as handy internal compartments to help organise your packets.
There are plenty of other beautiful storage tins out there; see our guide to the best seed boxes and tins for more inspiration. You may also be interested in finding out how to make your own seed packets.
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Foldable seating
Check availability at Garden Trading
Whether you want to take a quick breather, enjoy a light lunch or just spend some time cleaning your tools, a folding deck chair is a useful item to have at the allotment.
We've listed some of our favourite deck chairs in a separate article, but this one from Garden Trading is a particularly convenient choice for allotments. It weighs 4.4kg and folds up easily, so it should be easy to carry to and from your plot.
Daisy grubber
This little tool is perfect for pulling up pesky weeds with their roots, so it's a real must if you want to keep your allotment ship shape. This one has a polished stainless steel head that protects it from any rust, and the hardwood handle is weatherproof, so it'll survive the odd rain shower outside.
For alternative designs, see our guide to the best weeders to buy this year.
Radio
If you spend a lot of time at your allotment, you might want some company while you're there. Enter John Lewis' portable DAB radio: it weighs just 350g and you can add some batteries to power it outside. Plus, it's got a smooth, rubberised finish, so should be easy to wipe clean after an intense gardening session.
Cold frame
If you don’t have space for a greenhouse – don’t worry! A compact cold frame is an ideal solution to protect your salad and tender plants. This one from Outsunny offers great value for money; it has a solid wood frame and an adjustable lid to give you control over the amount of ventilation inside.
Find alternative cold frames in our guide.
Trolley
Perfect for carrying a heavy load, this trolley has a powder-coated steel frame and durable PU tyres. The sides fold down, making it easier to carry large items, so it's also a versatile piece of kit. Whether you need to move piles of leaves and clippings or heavy equipment, this should do the job. It also comes with a soft foam handle for comfort.
See our other top garden trolleys and wheelbarrows for alternatives.
Ready to get started? See our allotment tips on getting the most from your plot.