Brother and partner have just been assigned an allotment in Shoreham
after 8 years wait!
Soil is lovely and apparently not too weedy .
They have grown vegetables for a couple of years in their small back
garden but what would you recommend for a good reference book for
Christmas for them?
I think she has got a basic one and he has read a couple but it would be
nice to get them a good reference allotment book (inc. fruit) or perhaps
a diary/log book for Christmas.

Janet
--
Janet Tweedy
Dalmatian Telegraph
http://www.lancedal.demon.co.uk

"Janet Tweedy" wrote ...

Brother and partner have just been assigned an allotment in Shoreham after
8 years wait!
Soil is lovely and apparently not too weedy .
They have grown vegetables for a couple of years in their small back garden
but what would you recommend for a good reference book for Christmas for
them?
I think she has got a basic one and he has read a couple but it would be
nice to get them a good reference allotment book (inc. fruit) or perhaps a
diary/log book for Christmas.


We have never yet found a usable diary/log book for allotment gardening, all
the ones we have looked at have been a joke. The times of planting are so
different across the Country they are of no use. Just keep a loose leaf file
and write it in that year on year. You would think there was a useful little
program for the PC but we haven't found one.
For an excellent allotment type book see if you can locate a copy of " The
Complete Manual of Organic Gardening" by Basil Caplan. ISBN 0 7472 7830 X .
Excellent book that will set them on the right road even if they don't go
totally "organic" , we aren't.
Do remind them that allotments are not back gardens and therefor much more
exposed to the weather, especially wind. So bean poles etc need to be made
much more sturdy than in a garden, larger pests may be a pain too, from
pigeons and foxes to the two legged ones.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK

In article , Bob Hobden
writes
Do remind them that allotments are not back gardens and therefor much
more exposed to the weather, especially wind. So bean poles etc need to
be made much more sturdy than in a garden, larger pests may be a pain
too, from pigeons and foxes to the two legged ones.


Yes apparently the other plot they were offered was right next to road
and they were advised by others not to take that one but choose the
other !
However they seem to have been awarded a very well tended plot as the
weeds aren't too awful and the soil is well worked.
They are even allowed a shed or greenhouse unlike my local allotment
site! AND they have a tap next to them as well
--
Janet Tweedy
Dalmatian Telegraph
http://www.lancedal.demon.co.uk

On Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:56:38 +0000, Janet Tweedy wrote:

what would you
recommend for a good reference book for Christmas for them?

'The Allotment Book' by Andi Clevely

In article , Derek Turner
writes
On Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:56:38 +0000, Janet Tweedy wrote:

what would you
recommend for a good reference book for Christmas for them?

'The Allotment Book' by Andi Clevely



Thanks Derek will locate that one.
--
Janet Tweedy
Dalmatian Telegraph
http://www.lancedal.demon.co.uk

[quote=Janet Tweedy;942407]Brother and partner have just been assigned an allotment in Shoreham
after 8 years wait!
Soil is lovely and apparently not too weedy .
They have grown vegetables for a couple of years in their small back
garden but what would you recommend for a good reference book for
Christmas for them?
I think she has got a basic one and he has read a couple but it would be
nice to get them a good reference allotment book (inc. fruit) or perhaps
a diary/log book for Christmas.

Janet
--
Janet Tweedy
Dalmatian Telegraph


Hi'
This is a bit cheeky, but check out my book, 'beyond the potting shed'
isbn 978-07552-0614-8 easiest way is off amazon. Even Martin Davey, the head of Horticulture at Easton college recommended it live on the BBC
All the best Paul Rix [oldgeezer]