Allotment holders in Exeter have expressed fears for the future after the city council announced a raft of proposals to save money on the service.
Some 1,200 people currently rent a 250 square metre plot of land for growing vegetables or flowers at a standard price of £55 a year.
But the council says it cannot afford to continue making a loss of £43,000 each year in the face of ongoing government cuts.
Now city tenants are concerned they will face a substantial hike in the cost – either by increasing the annual rent to £97, or by removing 50 per cent subsidies and losing free water, maintenance and administration provision.
Members of the Prince Charles Road allotment Association are concerned the proposed increases could be too expensive for some plot holders to continue.
Chairman Ken Cann, 66, said: "I don't drink; I don't smoke; I don't play sport; I do my allotment. That's what my life is; take that away and I've got nothing."
Treasurer Roger Dean added: "The magnitude of their proposals is going to turn the traditional working man and pensioners off allotments because they can't afford it."
They are worried a 'worst case scenario' would lead to vast increases for older people currently paying £27.50 with their 50 per cent concessions.
Mr Cann said: "If they bring the price up to £97 and remove the subsidy, those people who get the concession at the moment would face a rent increase of more than 300 per cent."
Letters were sent to allotment associations in the city asking for people's views on the cost-saving measures.
But the council has been criticised for inadequate communication of the consultation because it did not write to individual tenants.
Committee member Caroline Fox said: "This consultation document has been seen by very few people in Exeter. There could be many people who don't know the council is proposing big changes."
Exeter City Council promises it has "no intention" of removing allotment provision in the city and is working to secure the long-term future of the service.
But it says it "can't just stand and do nothing" as it will lose more than half of its government grant for local services by 2017.
According to the council, more than half the costs of the allotment service is currently subsidised by the 53,500 council taxpayers in Exeter.
Cllr Keith Owen, lead councillor for environment, health and wellbeing, said: "We appreciate the importance of allotments, especially in cities, and the benefits that they bring, but we are facing difficult financial times with year-on-year cuts in central government funding."
If the authority manages to break even on the service, it would look to increase the number of plots and address a 600-strong waiting list.
In response to feedback, the council extended the consultation period until August 4 for people to put forward their ideas.
