Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15965 in Books
• Published on: 2006-05-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 160 pages

The Garden, October 2006
Easy to read and to follow, it gives clear and concise advice . .
. The book is suitable not only for the first time grower but also anyone
who wants to supplement their diet with some delicious fresh vegetables . .
.

Cleanslate, 2006
Great for the first time allotmenteer.

Synopsis
This practical and inspirational handbook is aimed at the new generation of gardeners who want to enjoy the taste and health benefits of growing their own food, but who have little time to spare. Expert advice and innovative techniques show you how to grow the right quantities of the fruit and vegetables you love, and enjoy the satisfactions of tending an allotment or vegetable garden without becoming a slave to your plot. Tested by fruit-grower Will Sibley and author Lia Leendertz on their own allotments, these methods will enable you to get the best results in half an hour per day, or even less. The book covers all aspects of allotmenteering and vegetable gardening, including the practicalities of obtaining and maintaining a site, choosing what to grow, designing the plot and advanced projects such as building paths and shelters. A section on harvesting, storing and cooking shows you what to do when your crop is ripe and ready.

Customer Reviews

Time management for allotments
This is an excellent complimentary book to go alongside a "how to allotment" book. Most people taking a plot nowadays don't have as much time to devote to it as they would like. This gives some excellent ideas for managing the differences between aspirations and reality. Not an everyday reference book, but readable and useful all the same.

the best investment a new plotholder can make
We had an allotment previously for five years which we had to give up for various reasons - not least the amount of work involved. We now have a new plot and even with all our previous experience - or perhaps because of it- I have found this book an invaluable resource. I know we want to get it right from the start this time and I have a pretty good idea where we went wrong last time, but even so seeing it all explained so clearly and in such a well structured way as it is in this book has really given me a lot of confidence in the systems we're putting in place and the information I need to do it.

Yes, the bit about using plug plants is a bit controversial but eminently sensible arguments are given for doing so. If you don't want to follow every word of advice in the book of course you don't have to - but at least you're asked to think through the decisions you're making in terms of effort put in and what you'll get back. We've put gooseberries in which aren't recommended but we love them and are happy to put in a bit more effort for that particular crop.

Thank you! I cannot recommend this book highly enough to a new or returning plotholder.

The Half Hour Allotment
I couldn't get on with this book. Why take on a plot if you don't have time to enjoy it. Much of it was just pictures of common vegetables with obvious annotations. I'm glad I read it at the library as I certainly wouldn't buy it