EXETER University's Green Society certainly lives up to its name. Not only does it promote environmental issues, it also encourages students to grow vegetables on the university's allotment.

Members of the society visit the allotment once a week, and the most dedicated students also go there when they are free or have something to plant.

I went to the allotment, on the top of a hill on the university's main campus, and met Tom Blight, a final year physics student and president of the Green Society.

The 22-year-old, who started working on the allotment last year, said: "I would guess the allotment is about 60sqm, but we have the potential to expand that to 200sqm in a few years."

Tom pointed out the onions, lettuce, raspberry canes, beetroot, parsnips, potatoes and spinach.

He said: "There's also some garlic, which was planted on the first society visit at the beginning of the year. They are cloves we originally got from Shillingford Organics.

"Someone from Shillingford Organics is going to come down and do a workshop for us, which is great because the whole thing is a learning experience for everyone involved. For a lot of people, it's their first go at growing their own veg."

Deciding what to plant has proved a matter of trial and error. But, so far, the student allotment is proving to be a success.

Tom pointed out some rhubarb, which the society found in January growing in a muddy puddle and moved to the allotment. He said: "Somebody had planted it to see if it would grow. We replanted it and it is doing really well."

The society has about 50 members, 10 to 15 of whom work on the allotment. "It's a mixture really. Most haven't had much gardening experience, but were keen to try it out for the first time," said Tom.

"There is no room in our student house, so it is great to have an area to try growing your own things. I have got lots of plants at home that I'm waiting to plant in the allotment.

"It's satisfying seeing things growing that you know you have planted and the fact that it's edible is a bonus. I really enjoy working and growing plants and something I hope to continue.

"The people that tend to the veg have first dibs on harvesting them. I had a fridge stocked full of lettuce, spinach and beans over the summer, which was pretty good."

Caroline Overy, 22, who is studying philosophy and history, said: "I have just generally been helping to maintain the allotment.

"It's good because we get to be outside in the sunshine. It's just like an ongoing project."

Physics student Leo Black, 21, said: "A few weeks ago, I planted spring onions and beetroot. It's a break from uni work and it's nice to eat what you're growing."

Exeter City Council allows the students to use its composted waste from parks and gardens around the city for free. But the students do not have access to a trailer, meaning it can take several car journeys to bring enough compost to the allotment. If you have a trailer you can lend to the students, email exetergreensoc@gmail.com.