The Allotment Book - Hardcover

'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

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 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, 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