Rocketing food prices have sparked a surge in demand for allotments in Dalbeattie as hard-pressed families look to cut bills.
The site has been a horticultural success story since the first sods were turned in spring 2010.
But the squeeze on household budgets has prompted more people to seek land for planting crops.
The grow your own trend has caused another problem – Dalbeattie Community Allotments Association has run out of plots.
Chairperson Sandra McWhirter told the News: “We filled all our vacancies very quickly this year.
“There’s been much more demand for plots that folk have had to give up because of ill health.
“All our 73 workable plots are now fully subscribed – we even have a short waiting list.
“Everybody has paid an awful lot quicker than last year. The big rise in food prices is definitely a factor.
“Vegetables in the shop are about a third dearer than they used to be before.
“Growing your own is a great way of cutting your food bill. Food is not going to get any cheaper.”
Sandra, 71, said the emotional and social benefits of working allotments had always been well documented.
But the dramatic increase in energy, heating and shopping bills meant the financial aspect was now a factor too.
She added: “Before people might try a new variety just because it was doing something different.
“But now because of rising prices folk are growing veg because it helps them money-wise as well.
“New people have moved into the area who don’t have much ground to plant anything. They are desperate to get their name down.
“One of the new folk who has come in has a caravan at Kirkgunzeon and has very little ground.
“They came to us because they wanted to grow veg.
“I’m still using onions that I grew last year and it’s nearly at the end of April.
“I’ve not bought an onion or leek since last August – you can really fill your freezer.
“It’s very satisfying to watch something you have grown from seed get bigger until you can harvest it.
“It’s a different taste and you won’t get anything fresher – it’s a pleasure to do it.”
The allotments association also has a policy of helping the wider community when harvest time comes around.
Sandra said: “People are definitely growing more and if there’s any surplus it goes to the food bank.
“There’s a plot the secretary has offered specifically to Dalbeattie Day Centre and that keeps them going in the summer with tatties, all the brassicas, beans, peas and onions. It helps to supply them.”
Sandra, a counsellor with Relationship Scotland, added: “Allotments are a great tonic for physical and mental health.
“My GP said before the pandemic that they are God’s own gym – and he’s right.
“I get where he’s coming from because you are active all the time.
“The produce costs you nothing except a wee bit of hard work.”
