I too have recently acquired an allotment. I recommend this book:
The Allotment Book (Hardcover) by Andi Clevely
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Allotment-Bo.../dp/000720759X
A wonderfully illustrated celebration of the blood, sweat and joy to be had
'growing your own' in an allotment - with the in-depth, practical gardening
know-how Collins is renowned for. No longer considered the preserve of old
men in sheds, allotment gardening is currently enjoying a renaissance of
interest. People of all ages and from all walks of life are digging their
own plots in search of the ultimate in fresh, organic produce - and you
cannot get more locally-sourced than your own allotment! This book testifies
to the new vibrancy of allotment culture, aiming both to inspire the next
generation of plot-holders and to provide all the practical knowledge needed
to turn a patch of soil into a lifelong adventure. Open to all the new
eco-gardening techniques, and the various weird and wonderful ways people
make use of their plots, contents include: the history of allotments - from
19th century origins, through wartime 'Dig for Victory', to the cosmopolitan
communities of today; features photos and interviews with current
plot-holders; planning your perfect allotment - finding it, assessing it,
clearing the ground and working out what to grow the brown stuff - all you
need to know about soil management. It also features the key to growing
success choosing a gardening method - organic, biodynamic, rotation beds,
companion planting, greenhouse, multi-level, potager, cottage garden, and so
on. The hard stuff - constructing sheds, compost bins, cold frames, fruit
cages, ponds, seating and play areas selecting crops - what and how to grow,
from parsnips and peas to chilli peppers and lemon grass cultivation
techniques - digging, sowing, feeding, weeding and harvesting, plus
troubleshooting pests and diseases the allotment calendar - extensive,
month-by-month look at what's in season, jobs for now and looking ahead.
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review:
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Time to get your wellies on.., 1 Sep 2006
Reviewer: Ms. H. R. Gibbon "Cumbrian Lass" (Cumbria) - See all
my reviews
I have always wanted to grow my own, but I've never had the confidence
to go for it.
This book gives you detailed tables of sowing and planting times,
seasonal guides,advice on sellecting what to grow and even the odd recipe
too. It is written in a clear and concise fashion, with lots of helpfull
(and pretty) photographs.
I particularly like the seasonal guides as they have "Sow Now; Plant
Now; In Season Now" in one quick reference column at the start of the
"chapter".
It answers every question that a virgin allotment holder could ask. I
would highly recommend it.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Complete idiots guide for the uninitiated, 10 Aug 2006
Reviewer: K. James (Cambridgeshire) - See all my reviews
I have always wanted to have a go at growing my own veg but quite
frankly did not know where to start. I needed a book that would spell out
the basics, give me pictures and provide a detailed calendar showing when I
should be doing what.
This book is perfect. It is well written, the directions are clear and
the pictures informative. It is already well thumbed and next year I will be
better! Congratulations to the author.
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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
a great book for all gardeners, 12 Jul 2006
Reviewer: I. M. Foreman (Coal Hill, London, UK) - See all my
reviews
I've had an allotment for years and got this book as a present but
I've never put it on the shelf since. Andi Clevely is a great read and the
book is laid out so well I can dip into it so easily to find the right
information. It has definitely inspired me to try some crops which I haven't
grown before, like aubergine and chillies. The calendar section is
partciularly useful for its 'last chance to sow' and 'planning ahead'
features, and has some useful recipes. I would recommend this book for
allotmenters new and old, as well as kitchen gardeners.
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I smile and go off waving
(Amiably) - for that's my way
Baal
http://www.helden.org.uk
"Alan McKenzie" wrote in message
...
have recently acquired a new allotment = see prevous posts.
have decided that double digging and the non use of chemicals was more
appropriate to my needs.
I'm not rushing things but intend to plant a few over winter onions, well
200, in a weeks time and leave the rest of planting for next spring.
However have dug my spit deep trench across the first bed, about 18 inches
wide BUT on attempting to fork over the bottom of my trench - no joy at
all
cannot get a fork or spade into it - it is solid!
Any ideas guys please or am I being too pedantic in my prepartion. Think
my
soil is mainly clay!
cheers
Alan
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