Allotment Book ?

bellrooster

Hello all..

My brothers girlfriend has a huge allotment and as she is getting busier and busier she says she is happy for us to take over some of the plot..

Thing is, I've never grown anything other than tomatoes, chillies, lettuces and herbs so I was looking to buy a book..

I've just looked on amazon and they're hundreds!!

Can anyone recommend a good one for a beginner?

Also, there has been talk about building a chicken coop (my oh is a joiner so this would be fairly cheap to do) but I'm concerned about keeping chickens so far from home as I certainly couldn't commit to going everyday to see them as the allotment is about 8 miles away.

rhiwfield

FWIW I tend to get a fruit or veg book out when I'm at the library and enjoy the different takes on pruning, sowing, storage etc. If there is an allotment bible here that someone recommends why not borrow it first to check it out?

At the moment I've got the Readers Digest Veg Garden on loan, but have borrowed several books in the past specifically aimed at allotment holders.

Dr Hessayon's expert books were a godsend a few years back when I started gyo again (£1 each in remainder shops if you're lucky).

Oner nice thing is that if you spread the word youll never be short of garden related christmas pressies

goldfinch68

The Allotment Book by Andi Clevely. Really good book.

moppet_217

Hi

I have this book by andi clevely and it is really good. Gives you details of all the basics.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Allotment-Book-M-Clevely/dp/0007270771/ref=pd_cp_b_0?pf_rd_p=212521391&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=000720759X&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0FYPKQEZP5YAKBT8FD8M

I also have the carol klein book grow your own veg. It is great and really well laid out. Gives you detailed information on each veg, varities to grow, how when, where etc. We have found it great as we are only beginers and it seems to assume that you do not know much.

See if you can get the, through your local library before buying anything.

Hope you enjoy your allotment and get lots of great veg from it this year.

Larumbelle

The Vegetable and Herb Expert by Hessayon and Vegetable Growing Month by Month by John Harrison are the two I'd recommend most for beginners, but check charity shops, the ones round here have an abundance of fruit and veg growing guides!

bellrooster

Hi folks thanks for all the advice, I've made a note of the mentioned books and authors and I think I will have a look in the library first, then charity shops and if I get no joy there I will have a look on amazon.

It's so exciting!!

nickj_2

carol klien grow your own veg

v good

jabba4

goldfinch68 wrote: »

The Allotment Book by Andi Clevely. Really good book.

Possibly the best one available. IMO.

Also worth a look is The Allotment Handbook by Caroline Foley.

Pruflo

Hi Hon,

I would seriously think about the chickens as they are quite a big commitment - to keep them safe from Mr Foxy they need to be put to bed every night - ours take themselves off at dusk but we have to shut the door for them and then let them out in the morning.

We got a book called the half hour allotment which looks really interesting - mind you I've been to see the proposed allotment today and its tiny so probably wont even take that ........:p

greyhoundcrazy

silvercharming wrote: »

Vegetable Growing Month by Month by John Harrison are the two I'd recommend most for beginners,

We love this one and so do our parents (we got them a copy too).

bellrooster

Pruflo wrote: »

Hi Hon,

I would seriously think about the chickens as they are quite a big commitment - to keep them safe from Mr Foxy they need to be put to bed every night - ours take themselves off at dusk but we have to shut the door for them and then let them out in the morning.

We got a book called the half hour allotment which looks really interesting - mind you I've been to see the proposed allotment today and its tiny so probably wont even take that ........:p

I think you're right about the chickens! I would love some but I think keeping them at the allotment might not be such a good idea! I've got a big enough garden for some, but a very excitable black lab might make things difficult for them!!

I'm going to look for the Andi Clevey book to start with, then have a look at the others that have been recommended!!

We're going to the allotment for the first time at the weekend!! Apparently it's Huge, and it already has an apple and a plum tree!