Allotment notice boards plot holders actually stop to read
An allotment site runs on a notice board by the gate and a number on every plot. Printed well and kept dry, they save the committee a lot of repeated messages.
Allotment signs and notice boards
An allotment site needs a notice board by the gate with work days, water rules, the committee's contacts and the seed swap, a number on every plot readable from the main path, and row markers on each plot. Print notices on A4 or A3 in a lockable glazed case, and laminate anything that stands in the rain.
Last reviewed 3 October 2026
What an allotment site usually needs
- 1
The site notice board
Work party dates, water and bonfire rules, the trading hut hours, who to contact about a vacant plot and what is on this month. Keep standing rules on one side and this month's news on the other.
- 2
Plot numbers
A clear number at the path end of every plot, so new plot holders, visitors and the committee can find their way. Large, dark figures on a pale ground read best from a distance.
- 3
Row markers
Crop, variety and planting date at the end of each row. On a shared site they also tell a neighbour who is watering for you what is what.
- 4
Seed and plant swap labels
Labels for envelopes and pots on the swap table, with the variety, the year and the plot it came from, so people know what they are taking home.
- 5
Small signs around the site
Please close the gate, water trough, compost bays, toilet, site shop. Each one answers a question new members would otherwise ask.
Sizes that work on a site
| Piece | Size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Notice board headers | A4 strip, about 7 cm tall | Separates rules, news and contacts at a glance |
| Main notices | A4 (21 × 29.7 cm) | Fits a standard glazed outdoor case |
| Event posters | A3 (29.7 × 42 cm) | For the open day or a plant sale, seen from the gate |
| Plot numbers | A5 (14.8 × 21 cm), figures 10 cm or taller | Readable from the main path |
| Row markers | About 5 × 15 cm | Readable from the plot path when staked |
| Site signs | A4 | Large enough for gates and sheds |
Free printables for an allotment
Row markers for the plot, headers for the site notice board and labels for the seed swap jars and envelopes.
Allotment row markers
Printable allotment row markers: 10 wide pointed markers, 150 by 50 mm, with large crop names, the variety and a sown date. Free A4 PDF, five to a sheet.
OpenAllotment notice board
Printable allotment notice board headers: a Plot news banner with each letter on a pastel tile, and six strips for work parties, seed swaps and more.
OpenJar label maker
Make printable jar labels for a pantry, spices, jam or the freezer: round lid labels, rectangles, tall and oval labels at true size. Free A4 PDF.
Open
Want the site notice board designed?
WallKiwi's display maker designs a complete notice board from one sentence, such as a friendly allotment board for work days, rules and the seed swap, with headers and cards ready to print on A4. Designs use credits, and a free account includes some each month.
Questions people ask
What should go on an allotment notice board?
The site's standing rules, committee contacts, work party and meeting dates, trading hut or shop hours, water and bonfire arrangements, and seasonal news such as a seed swap or a plant sale. Date every notice and remove it when it expires.
How do you weatherproof a printed sign for an allotment?
Laminate it with a sealed border, or print on waterproof synthetic sheet, and fix it with screws or cable ties through holes rather than tape. Notices on plain paper need a sealed, glazed case.
How big should allotment plot numbers be?
Big enough to read from the main path, which usually means figures of 10 cm or more in a dark colour on a pale background. Check whether your site has a standard style, as many committees prefer matching numbers.
Who is responsible for the notice board on an allotment site?
Usually the site committee or the association secretary, or the council where the site is run directly. Ask before pinning notices up, as many sites have a rule about what can be posted.
How do I label seeds for a swap?
Give each envelope the crop, the variety, the year collected and, if you like, the plot number. Sowing tips are welcome but keep them short.