In Spring 2009 a temporary allotment was planted in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. It was the first time since the Second World War ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign that vegetables had been been grown in the grounds of the Palace. In 1918, there was a vegetable patch in the Herbaceous Border which grew turnips.

The site for the vegetables was at the rear of the garden in an area which is called the ‘Yard Bed’. Guests of The Queen’s Garden Parties were able to see the new allotment. Vegetables planted include runner beans, sweet corn and beetroot.

No chemicals were used to cultivate the allotment site. Liquid sea-weed was used to feed the plants and forms of garlic were used to deter aphids. Like the rest of the garden, water from the Palace Borehole was used to irrigate the plants. Mulch from the Palace Garden compost heap was used to bed the vegetables in. Any produce harvested was used by the Palace kitchen.

Watch a short YouTube film about the allotment: