I also rented "allotments", or community garden plots.  Usually each plot was about 50ft by 100 ft in size, and rented for 10 to 20 Pounds per year. (about $15 to $30)  I had 8 of them at one time, and one summer grew 1500 ears of corn.  

Of course, I had a rototiller (or "rotovator" as the English called it>  And the corn ended up served at barbecue parties I'd have or in my freezer,  and given away to friends and neighbors.