During the First World War, people were encouraged to transform their gardens into vegetable patches to support the war effort.
A volunteer poses behind a lifesize cardboard cutout of an allotment gardener from the First World War.
To set a good example, park land was given over to agricultural use, potatoes planted in the beds outside Buckingham Palace, and demonstration allotments set up in Regent’s Park and Kensington Gardens, where novice growers could come and learn from experienced gardeners. Find out more about feeding the nation during the First World War.
We have re-established First World War beds in six parks across London.
Over the next two years, volunteers will be tending to heritage varieties of parsnips, cauliflowers, carrots, peas, and many other types of veg and we’ll be following their progress.
You can visit the War Gardens at: