Growing fruit and veg could be one way of fighting the credit crunch
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A college is offering free gardening courses to people hoping to grow their own vegetables on allotments.
The Flintshire-based Welsh College of Horticulture offers services to communities where demand is high enough.
North Wales AM Janet Ryder backed the scheme, which she said would help promote healthier lifestyles.
Meanwhile, Wales' poorest ward, West Parade in Rhyl, Denbighshire, is to get its first area of green public space.
In Wrexham, the Welsh College of Horticulture will be offering advice and tips to anyone hoping to take an allotment at a new site at Pentre Gwyn.
On 15 March, Caia Community Gardens Association, which will run the new allotments, is holding an open day for anyone interested, and a lecturer from the college will be present.
In addition, the college also offers advice to anyone wishing to organise "starter courses".
Principal Mark Simkin said: "These are actually courses which we have always offered as a taster for people, and we run them as adult community programmes.
"If people wanted a day on 'grow your own brassica crop' it could be run as a series or as a one-day workshop.
"It's to give people a taste, and then if they want to go on and study further, they can."
Demand for allotments is on the rise after decades of post-war decline
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Mr Simkin said there was "a lot more interest" in allotments across the whole of Wales.
Celebrity chefs, rising food prices and environmental concerns have helped fuel a renewed interest in renting a small plot of land for home-grown produce.
Last year, the BBC Wales programme Eye on Wales found some local authorities had allotment waiting lists of more than 1,000 people.
At the time, the National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardeners, warned it might have to take legal action if the demand for allotments was not met.
North Wales AM Janet Ryder praised the new allotment scheme at Caia Park, adding: "The people who've pushed for these allotments are at the forefront of a grassroots revival in the allotment.
"They and Wrexham Council are to be congratulated for their commitment to increasing the availability of allotments.
"We now need to make sure that gardeners old and new can get the help they need to make the most of any land they have available."
The Caia Community Gardens Association will hold an open day at Pentre Gwyn Community Centre between 1500 GMT and 1700 GMT on Sunday, 15 March.
'Unsightly blight'
Meanwhile, in Rhyl, the Welsh Assembly Government has agreed to create a temporary green space at West Parade.
Vale of Clwyd MP Chris Ruane, who campaigned with other politicians for a green public space, said the site currently contained a demolished building which was an "unsightly blight on the area".
He said he would be consulting people to see what they wanted on the site, adding: "I'm sure it will provide a welcome area for residents and visitors to relax and take in the view of the sea."
He said he would be pushing for a permanent green public space in the area.
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