Book description
With hardly any previous veg-growing experience and even less time,
when Gardener's World design guru Joe Swift decided to take on
a 250 sq metre allotment in north London, some people thought he was
mad. But with hard work and dedication, in less than a year Joe
created his very own urban oasis and a source of delicious, fresh,
organic produce for himself and his family.
In this book Joe takes us through every stage of his education as an
allotment gardener, from putting his name on the council waiting list
to harvesting his first crops. He reveals everything he's learned
about acquiring a plot, clearing the site, planning the beds, and
planting, nurturing and protecting his fruit and vegetables. All the
techniques he has mastered are described and illustrated, step by step.
Joe also introduces us to his Veg Heroes like Monty Don and Geoff
Hamilton - fellow plot-holders with years of experience and the crops
to show for it - who inspired Joe to take up veg growing in the first
place. And he shares with us his enjoyment of allotment gardening, the
combination of hard work, fresh air and a sense of community that
makes his plot such a special place to be.
Whether you are an established allotment gardener or are thinking of
putting your name down for a plot, Joe's Allotment will provide
you with a wealth of advice and inspiration.
Joe Swift is a professional garden designer and
Gardeners' World
presenter. Joe took on the challenge of an allotment for the programme
and it has become one of the most popular strands on the show. He
co-presented the BBC's coverage of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show,
Open Gardens
, and
Gardener of the Year
. He writes a weekly column for Saturday's
Times Magazine
. His other books are
The Plant Room
(2001) and
Joe's Urban Garden Handbook
(2008).
