Important News for Plot Holders at Burley Model Allotments — Spring 2026

Written by: Jennifer Finch

As the growing season gets underway at Burley Model Allotments in Burley, Leeds, the committee has a number of important updates for all plot holders. Please take a moment to read through the following notices carefully, as they affect everyone on site at LS4 2NL. For full details of our site rules, please visit our rules page.

Keep Your Paths Safe and Tidy

All plot holders at Burley Model Allotments are reminded of their responsibility to maintain the path to the right of their plot. When standing on the main thoroughfare facing your plot, the path to your right is yours to maintain. Please ensure it is kept tidy, with grass cut short and no obstructions. Everyone on site has the right to walk freely on the paths between plots, and keeping them safe and accessible is a shared responsibility that helps maintain the high standards we are proud of at our Leeds LS4 site. Our plot inspection procedures cover path maintenance and we do carry out regular inspections throughout the year.

Skip Hire — 24 April 2026

Two skips will be arriving on site on Thursday 24 April 2026, one on each side of the allotment, and will be available for one week. This is a valuable opportunity to clear unwanted materials from your plot and we encourage all members to make good use of them. Please use the skips wisely and only deposit waste from your plot. Acceptable items include rubble, waste glass, stones and plastic. Please do not put weeds or soil in the skips. If the skips are not used correctly we may not be able to arrange this service again in the future. The committee will confirm the exact arrival time as soon as it is known.

Plant Sales — May and June 2026

Burley Model Allotments will be holding plant sales on Saturday 16 May and Saturday 13 June, both running from 10am to 12 noon. These popular community events are open to everyone and are a wonderful opportunity to pick up home-grown plants and produce from our site in Leeds LS4. For full details of the May event visit our plant sale page, and for a full overview of everything happening at the site this year take a look at our events page.

We are currently collecting raffle prizes for both events. If you are able to donate a prize, please bring it along to the Trading Hut on any Saturday morning between 10am and 11am. Every donation is greatly appreciated and helps make the events a success for the whole community.

Water Usage on Site

As we move into the growing season, all plot holders are reminded to use water carefully and responsibly. The use of sprinklers is not permitted on site at any time. Hosepipes may be used but must never be left unattended. Conserving water is important for the sustainability of the site and the welfare of all plot holders, so please be mindful of your usage throughout the season. Full details of all site regulations can be found in our 2026 allotment rules.

Finally, please ensure that children visiting the site adhere to the allotment rules at all times. The safety and enjoyment of everyone on site depends on all members and their guests respecting the rules and looking out for one another.

Thank you for your continued support and for helping to make Burley Model Allotments such a wonderful community in the heart of Burley and Kirkstall, Leeds. If you are not yet a member and would like to join us, find out more about our current waiting list or apply for a plot today.


Frequently Asked Questions

Which path am I responsible for maintaining at Burley Model Allotments?

You are responsible for the path to the right of your plot as you stand on the main thoroughfare facing your plot. Please keep it tidy, free from obstructions and with the grass cut short. All plot holders share the responsibility of keeping the site safe and accessible for everyone. Full details can be found in our site rules.

What can I put in the skips on 24 April 2026?

The skips are for waste from your plot only. Acceptable items include rubble, waste glass, stones and plastic. Please do not put weeds or soil in the skips. Using the skips correctly ensures we can continue to offer this service to members in the future.

When are the plant sales at Burley Model Allotments in 2026?

Plant sales will be held on Saturday 16 May and Saturday 13 June 2026, both running from 10am to 12 noon. The events are open to everyone and include plants, cakes, refreshments and a raffle. For full details visit our plant sale page. Raffle prize donations can be dropped off at the Trading Hut on Saturday mornings between 10am and 11am.

Are hosepipes allowed at Burley Model Allotments?

Hosepipes are permitted on site but must never be left unattended. The use of sprinklers is not allowed at any time. All plot holders are asked to use water carefully and responsibly throughout the growing season to help maintain the sustainability of the site. See our 2026 allotment rules for full details.

Can children visit Burley Model Allotments?

Children are welcome to visit the site but must adhere to the allotment rules at all times. Plot holders are responsible for ensuring that any children accompanying them on site behave safely and respectfully. If you are interested in getting a plot for your family, find out more about joining our waiting list or apply online today.

Plant Sale at Burley Model Allotments Leeds — Saturday 16 May

Written by: Jennifer Finch

Plant Sale at Burley Model Allotments — Saturday 16 May, 10am to 12pm

Burley Model Allotments is holding a plant sale on Saturday 16 May 2026, running from 10am to 12pm at the Trading Hut on Lumley Place, Burley, Leeds. Whether you're a plot holder, a keen gardener from the local area, or simply looking for great value plants grown right here in Leeds, this is an event not to miss.

What to expect at the Burley Model Allotments plant sale

The plant sale will offer a fantastic selection of plants brought along by our members — everything from vegetables and herbs to flowers and bedding plants. All plants are grown by allotmenteers on our own site, so you know exactly what you're getting: hardy, locally grown stock well-suited to our West Yorkshire climate.

Alongside the plants there will be a raffle, with the draw taking place on the day. There will also be homemade cakes, tea, coffee and squash available to buy, making it a great community occasion as well as a chance to stock up your garden or plot for the season ahead.

All proceeds from the plant sale go directly to Burley Model Allotments Association (BMAA) funds, helping us maintain and improve the site for all our members.

Bring your surplus plants along

If you're a plot holder and find yourself with more plants than you can use this season, please bring them along to sell. This is what makes our plant sales so special — the variety and quality of plants on offer comes entirely from our own community of growers right here in Leeds LS4.

How to find us

The plant sale takes place at the Trading Hut, Burley Model Allotments, Lumley Place, Leeds LS4 2NL. The site entrance is on Lumley Place, off Lumley Road. The event runs from 10am to 12pm on Saturday 16 May 2026 — come early for the best selection.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Allotment Inspections at Burley 2026

Written by: Jennifer Finch
Hopefully you are well and looking forward to both Spring and Summer at Burley Model Allotments in Leeds, LS4

In April, as usual, we begin our monthly plot inspections so this is primarily for the benefit of those of you who have taken on a plot since last summer, and it is designed to explain what we do and why.

Our allotments are on land owned by Leeds City Council 

So we agree to do certain things linked to the upkeep of the allotments. 
We promise to ensure that our plots are cultivated appropriately and the Committee therefore checks regularly that this is in fact happening.
 As a result, we aim to carry out 6 inspections between April and September.

Firstly, we check you have a CLEARLY visible plot number - on a sign, in your greenhouse, painted on a stone etc. This makes our job a little easier - thank you - and it is in the LCC rules that you display a visible plot number.

Secondly, we check the path on the right of your plot as you look at it from the front - your responsibility is to keep it fairly neat and tidy.

Finally, we assess the condition of your plot. In April, we hope to see signs that work has begun. Miracles are not expected but, by April, your plot should not look as though you haven’t touched it since last autumn.

We ought to see continual progress

BUT, we are well aware that circumstances can make this difficult - work pressure, family issues, illness etc - so all we ask is that you do please communicate with us.

We have a simple format we use each year - if we think you are neglecting your plot, we will send you a friendly first letter as a reminder of your obligations. If the problem continues, a second letter will be sent telling you what you must do to abide by the rules. If that has no effect, a third letter will be sent giving you a short period of time to considerably improve the condition of your plot. If you do not comply with this you will be asked to leave. Read our rules here

We never want to ask a plot holder to surrender their plot but it does happen - bear in mind that, normally, we do have a waiting list for plots. We are very proud of our allotments and our reputation and we do all that we can to keep up our high standards. We want you to succeed while enjoying working on your plot and there are lots of people around more than willing to advise and help.

Hopefully, you now have a clear idea of what our Committee and LCC expect of you - please do feel free to come to the hut on a Saturday morning if you need any advice or help, or you can email me at any point to discuss problems (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). The rules are in full on our website.