In this episode, Chay visits Fountain Community Garden in Hollywood during his trip to Los Angeles and sits down with Garden Manager David Benjamin. They discuss how community gardens (the US equivalent of allotments) operate in LA, the variety of plants grown, the challenges they face—including the impact of recent wildfires—and their future ambitions.

While UK allotments and LA community gardens have distinct differences, Chay uncovers striking similarities, from the ongoing battle with pests such as Slugs to shared struggles and strengths. A key takeaway from the conversation is the strong engagement of local businesses and organisations with LA’s community gardens, prompting reflections on whether UK allotments could foster deeper community involvement. Though this episode offers just a glimpse into the US gardening scene, it sparks an important discussion about the role of community in allotment culture.

To find out more about Fountain Community Gardens, visit https://fountaincommunitygardens.org/ or follow then on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/fountain_community_gardens/?hl=en

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Allotment Diaries Podcast is a podcast that examines what has worked well and what hasn't worked so well when it comes to having an allotment plot. It seeks to give an honest insight into what owning an allotment plot is actually about.