Your Own Allotment: How to Find and Manage One - and Enjoy Growing Your Own Food [Paperback]

'The advice given clearly comes from personal experience. The level of detail is impressive, the author even describes how to set a totally new set of allotments. For both the new and established allotment holder, I would advise keeping a copy of this book in the allotment shed, its a gem. Clear, concise and accurate information presented in easily readable format. Covers all the subjects an allotment holder needs and represents very good value for money. We thoroughly recommend it.' Gardenaction.co.uk 'A veritable bible of information, accessible to both novice would-be allotment gardener and to those looking to maintain more established plots. Buy it, and you may never need to buy another book on growing your own food.' Four Shires 'This really is a well presented, easy to use guide not only for newcomers to allotments but also for the experienced growers too.' Allotment & Leisure Gardener

`A veritable bible of information, accessible to both novice would-be allotment gardener and to those looking to maintain more established plots. Buy it, and you may never need to buy another book on growing your own food.'

'This really is a well presented, easy to use guide not only for newcomers to allotments but also for the experienced grower too.'

Having your own allotment is an excellent way to ensure that the fruit and vegetables you and your family eat are fresh, organic and actually have flavour. This book takes you step by step through the process of finding and obtaining your allotment and then offers practical information and tips on starting, and then maintaining your plot. In three parts it covers all you need to know about: applying for an allotment, preparing the soil, organic principles and planning and laying out your plot; the vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers you can grow, plus useful shrubs and trees; and. maintaining the allotment, including gardening techniques, pest and weed control, crop rotation, composting, harvesting and storage and tips on maintaining productivity throughout the year.

I have written this book based on my real-life experience of trying to obtain an allotment; and then of taming a run-down plot. It is intended to help aspiring allotmenteers and those who already have an allotment - but would like to know more. I approached the task in a measured manner drawing on my experience as a programme and project manager. Before tackling anything I planned what we were going to do; and carried out research into the plants that could or should be grown on allotments. I also spent some time understanding the main issues affecting them: eg the correct quality and quantity of sunlight, water, nutrients and soil; as well as the more typical pests and diseases and what to do about them.

I have divided the book into three sections - the first on finding and then preparing the allotment - including the organic principles of good earth husbandry and key tools required; the second deals with the crops most likely to be grown and includes their characteristics and interesting history, crop specific issues, how and when to plant them and when to harvest them. The third section covers the practical day to day activities involved. I have included tips and chapters on items such as composting, harvesting and storage of crops, and an annual vade-me-cum providing a high level summary of what to do when. I hope that you find it useful and that it assists you in avoiding some of the errors we made in our first years and that the guidance will let you enjoy bumper crops.

Neil Russell-Jones is a prolific author and a management consultant. He has an allotment in South London, which he tends with his wife and two daughters.As a family they grow potatoes, onions, garlic, cabbages, broccoli, lettuce as well as squashes, pumpkins, sweet corn, beans, peas, rhubarb, carrots, parsnips, turnips, asparagus and herbs, berries and currants, so not only do they get abundant fresh produce they also enjoy working together on a combined project that takes them away from the usual routine of work and school.