Product Description

Allotments are fashionable again. With a different food scare popping up in the press almost every week, people are taking control of what they eat and deciding to grow their own organic fruit and vegetables - and what better place to do this than the allotment? Allotments now attract people of all ages and backgrounds - all of whom want to grow their own delicious and nutritious produce at virtually no cost at all. And despite many people's preconceptions, it isn't difficult to do. With a bit of pre-planning and preparation, you can be harvesting your own crops within a few months of starting out, and eating the fruits of your labour from late spring to autumn. This book contains all the practical information you'll need - from preparing the plot and dealing with weeds, to planting out and rotating your crops. There is detailed advice on the fantastic range of vegetables, fruit and herbs you might like to grow, as well as how to protect your plants, pruning and harvesting. A handy seasonal checklist provides instant advice on key tasks for each month and tips for year-round productivity. Accessible text, inspiring photography and helpful planting plans make "The Allotment Book" a must for anyone wanting to get the most out of their plot. "With easy reference and common sense instructions this book will leave you in no doubt about how to plan and manage your allotment. It covers absolutely everything, from the history of allotments and how to get hold of one, to allotment etiquette and fun ways to encourage children to grow their own. This book is like having a very friendly and extremely knowledgeable grower standing beside you as you work." Gregg Wallace

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #34968 in Books
• Published on: 2007-04-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

South Wales Argus
"Your Allotment is the essential handbook for anyone deciding to
take on an allotment plot for the first time."

About the Author
Clare Foster is Garden Editor at Home & Garden magazine and a freelance garden journalist. She spent 10 years at Gardens Illustrated magazine, latterly as Editor, and has written three books: From Bud to Seed: Perennials and From Bud to Seed: Annuals (Conran Octopus 2001) and Compost (Cassell Illustrated 2002). After having her own allotment in West London for many years she has recently moved to the countryside to expand her vegetable plot. Author lives: Oxfordshire, England

Customer Reviews

Brilliant guide to growing your own vegetables ++++
I found this book in the bookclub pile during a dull afternoon at work. I bought it off Amazon that evening. It's truly excellent - the kind of book everyone should own whether they have an allotment or not. I don't have one - but I'm using it for guidance on growing vegetables in my back garden. The kind of stuff you need to know is all here - it's like having an experienced gardener helping you out and offering advice over your shoulder as you go - I don't have anyone to ask so it's wonderful for me - and I haven't yet had a question that isn't answered in this book.

The layout is clear and succinct. The plant details are consistent and presented clearly - a picture of the vegetable (invaluable for beginners!), origin, soil and situation, sowing, aftercare, pests and diseases. There's also an at a glance summary of each veg. You get suggested layouts, how to rotate crops (everyone talks about it, first time I've seen a suggested order of planting over four years, finally!). Sections on what not to do in your new community, soil improvement, sowing, kit you'll need.... it's all here.

It's quite tempting to get an allotment next year!

My new vegetable plot !
Having just created a new vegetable plot I found this book to be a super guide on what to do. It is very easy to follow and has helped me tremendously with my first venture into growing vegetables.

The most useful gardening book I've ever read
The title says it all.

Not just a helpful guide for idiots (like me), but a practical reminder for more experienced gardeners too.