Historically, allotments emerged in Britain in the late 1500s as a response to the enclosure of common lands, which had left many people unable to grow their own food. While they were originally a tool for navigating economic crises and hunger, modern "allotmenteering" is primarily motivated by social and mental health benefits. Today, these plots serve as vital "microcosms for society," blending individual privacy with a culture of "welcoming arms, gifted gluts, and new recipes". Qualities of Earth | Rebecca May Johnson | Granta