Book description
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 for which Collins is renowned.
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 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 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, 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 'It is full of colourful and
relevant illustrations…The content is packed with excellent
down-to-earth advice. Andy Clevely captures the essence of the
allotment, showing how it is a relaxing a socialble way to garden. The
Allotment Book is a must for the bookshelf.' - The Garden magazine
'This is an excellent book.' - The Telegraph
'It's the ultimate guide to a bumper harvest.' - Sunday Magazine
'Clear and concise, it will take pride of place in your garden shed.' -
Daily Mail
'This book testifies the new vibrancy of allotment culture, and provides
all the knowledge needed to turn a patch of soil into a lifelong
adventure.' - The Northern Echo
'This is a book you'll want to return to again and again.' - Garden Answers
'This book is excellent, rising above the usual dutiful trek through
chores and cultivars and capturing the life-expanding possibilities of a
new plot.' - Optima Magazine Andi Clevely has been a working gardener
for 34 years. He rebelled from academic life at Oxford (Hons degree in
English) to start a gardening career, progressing to the Crown Estate at
Windsor Great Park and thereafter employed as a head gardener in private
service (initially for J B Priestley and Jacquetta Hawkes, who
encouraged early potting-shed writing projects). Now responsible for
managing a country estate and sprawling garden, which is gradually being
restored as a cottage and forest garden, based on self-sufficiency,
eco-friendly and pro-wildlife practices.
He has written numerous books and is a regular contributor to newspapers
and magazines. Andi was awarded Practical Journalist of the Year 2003 by
the Garden Writers' Guild.
