If you think of an allotment owner, you may think of Arthur Fowler in EastEnders if you’re old enough, or Barbara and Tom from The Good Life if you’re even older.

Growing your own crops used to be something reserved for the working class older generation.

But take a trip to any of the allotments around Kent today and you will find this is not the case at all. It has now become a leisure activity enjoyed by all sorts of people, as well as a way to grow your own produce as supermarket prices continue to increase.

Lockdown in 2020 saw demand for allotments soar, as people tried to find something to keep themselves occupied and an excuse to go out in the fresh air amid all the tight restrictions.

But that was almost four years ago and waiting lists have barely altered since, while the demographic at the vegetable patches has continued to grow.

Cally Gale is a family lawyer and councillor who says she likes taking time out from her busy schedule to chill out among her crops.

“There is nothing better than being out in the fresh air with just the birds around for company,” the 63-year-old mused.

“Working physically hard, making plans and learning along the way, passing the time of day and getting tips from other owners.”

Since acquiring her patch two years ago she has tried growing almost everything.

“We have had home-grown vegetables including just about everything you can buy in the shops and they taste amazing.

“We have just finished the last of our carrots and giant parsnips.”

Cally has been creative with her produce and says she has made apple pies and crabapple jelly from her apple trees.

“I still have a freezer full of runner beans and board beans and potatoes still in sacks,” she added. The best things are organically grown and are cheap and delicious.”

Claire Pearce has had her half plot on Kirby Road allotments in Dartford for 10 years. She and her husband bought one in a bid to help his health.

“When we first signed up for it we didn’t have any outside space of our own and my partner had just had a stroke so we were looking to get him active again,” the 47-year-old said.

“It is a lot of hard work, but the satisfaction that you get when you take home vegetables for a meal that you’ve grown yourself is totally worth it.”

Munmun Bubai got an allotment in Kirby Road to stop the constant battle with her children when they trampled her flowerbeds in her tiny garden.

She only bought her plot this year and is excited about what she can grow.

The 42-year-old and her husband have taken on the challenge together and have discovered that so far it is the only thing they don’t disagree on.

Munmun said: “At home and with everything else we never agree. On this if he says something I think it’s a good idea and if I say something he agrees.”

Munmun’s husband Bubai has been doing research and is planning to plant vegetables that are not too difficult to grow for beginners such as potatoes, garlic, beetroot, spring onions and rhubarb.

“There is nothing there at the moment. Let’s see what we do with that in six months, two years,” he said.

Munmun is planning to turn half the plot into a flower allotment away from the children’s trampling feet.

The couple are hoping to go every day and meet fellow allotment owners who can offer them tips.

“It’s a nice break to get outside,” Munmun said. “Even the children are excited to join in and harvest their own vegetables and show their friends at school.”

Sharon Brine, from New Ash Green Allotments, said there has been an increase in young couples taking on allotments.

Kelly and Gareth Longhurst have had theirs for around 14 years and have watched their children grow up on it.

Gareth said Phoebe, nine, and Amelia, 14, still love spending time at the allotments.

“They used to come up here when they were little and shuffle around with their spades and I’d push them around in the wheelbarrow,” he said.

Teaching assistant Kelly, 39, added: “We grew pumpkins from seeds, which they loved.”

And Asda depot manager Gareth, 42, said because they have grown them they are more inclined to eat the vegetables.

“It’s great to get the kids involved,” he added.

New Ash Green allotment is hoping to encourage youngsters by creating their very own area where they can plant seeds and potter around.

Kelly says she has also helped cultivate tiny green fingers with the introduction of competitions to see who can grow the tallest sunflower and pumpkin hunts.

Chris Broad-Manges is one of the older generation at the New Ash Green site. He has had his patch for 20 years.

“I only have a small garden and I enjoy gardening. It gets me out in the fresh air and it gives me something nice to eat.”

The 77-year-old former architect says he loves the social side of allotments.

“It’s nice to get out and talk to all sorts of people here and help each other. Then I give away most of what I grow to friends, which is fun because everyone likes fresh vegetables.

He even has an agreement with one friend who makes jam for him if he provides the fruit.

“I give her the blackberries or the redberries and then she makes me the jam.”

Former teacher at Townley Grammar School in Bexleyheath, Tessa Green retired in December and decided it was time to get her green fingers back.

She said she loves the peace she gets from the minute she arrives in the car park at the allotments off Ash Road.

“Even the walk from the car park is relaxing. You can hear the birds. You’ll see skylarks.

“It’s good for the soul.”

And she said it feels like you’ve taken a step back in time when the Spitfires from Biggin Hill fly over.

“It can be up to three times a day,” she said. “You feel like you’re in the war time, digging for victory.

“Sometimes they’ll do a little turn for you in the air.”

The former art teacher said she took over “a disaster area” when she bought her plot but enjoyed getting stuck in.

“I loved the challenge. I loved thinking about how I was going to design it and lay it out.”

Tess also loves the fact growing her own vegetables “saves her a fortune” and she says they taste better.

“Roast potatoes made from home-grown potatoes have a totally different taste. I had to use some of each in a meal once and my daughter could tell the difference,” she added.

A Kent County Council spokesperson for Live Well Kent and Medway said: “Getting out and about in green spaces can boost both your physical health and mental well-being.

“Taking part in outdoor activities with others, like a local walking group or a community gardening project, can also reduce loneliness and help you find new friends.

Colin Game, who is secretary for the Dartford Road allotment site, said he has noticed changes in the demographic of allotment owners in recent years.

“During the pandemic people wanted something to do and those who have lived in Dartford maybe all their lives suddenly discovered there were allotments nearby that they never knew about and it took off exponentially.

“In the past it used to be mainly males but not there is an equal number of men and women.

“The cost of living crisis has encouraged people’s desire to grow their own vegetables because it is cheaper. But it is also hard work.”

Chairman of New Ash Green Allotments Sharon Brine said they also saw a huge surge in ownership during Covid.

“Allotments became very popular,” she said.

“However, once people got back to work and normal routines, they had less and less time to dedicate to their allotment.”

She is looking forward to the delivery of a community shed funded by the Co-op Community Fund and Kent County Council, to aid to the social experience at the site.

“It will allow members to get together over a cup of tea sit and chat,” she said.

A spokesman for Gravesham council said: “Pre-covid our waiting time for a plot was around two years but during the pandemic we saw a huge increase in people wanting an allotment, especially from residents who do not have access to a garden of their own.

“We had to close the waiting list to new applicants for a period during the pandemic as the wait was exceeding three and a half years and was only growing as we saw fewer and fewer people giving their plots up.”

In the Medway local authority area, there are almost 2,000 people on the waiting list for an allotment – three times as many than the 700 recorded in 2018. Some have waited years for a plot.

Claire Wilders received her plot last year but had previously been on the waiting list since 2015. She said: “I actually thought we were forgotten and fell off the list to be honest but glad we got it now.”