Allotment Gardening For Dummies

Dust off your wellies and get ready for reams of delicious allotment produce Whether you′re hoping to get a foot on the allotment ladder or need to rejuvenate a flagging patch, this essential guide will get you on track in no time. The step–by–step advice and useful illustrations will help you organise your plan of attack and grow healthy veg, fruit, herbs and flowers. With handy tips on how to cook the things you′ve grown and useful info on growing organically, allotment gardening doesn′t get easier than this! Get to grips with the basics – unearth the perfect plot, swot up on allotment rules and regs and prepare your tools for action Lay the groundwork for success – map out your space, banish weeds and learn how to look after your soil Grow your favourite vegetables – take your pick from potatoes, carrots, parsnips, broccoli, onions, tomatoes, salad leaves, peas, beans, sweetcorn, artichokes, peppers, aubergines and more Extend your allotment repertoire – move beyond veg to cultivate delicious fruit, zesty herbs and attractive flowers Get the most out of your allotment – involve the kids, enjoy allotment social life and impress your mates with giant vegetables Open the book and find: What tools and equipment you′ll need An allotment calendar, helping you decide what to grow, when The best ways to kill weeds, fight disease and deter pests How to keep your soil healthy Cooking tips for allotment produce Advice on creating your own compost heap Simple and safe projects for kids How to prevent common allotment disasters Ways to revive a tired allotment Learn to: Navigate waiting lists and find the best patch for you Prepare your soil to encourage tip–top growth Plant a huge range of fruit, veg, herbs and flowers Grow organically and get the most from your space

Introduction. Part I: Getting to Grips with Allotment Gardening. Chapter 1: Discovering What Allotments Are All About. Chapter 2: Getting Hold of an Allotment. Part II: Preparing for Allotment Success. Chapter 3: Getting Started. Chapter 4: Deciding What to Grow and When. Chapter 5: Preparing Your Plot. Chapter 6: Keeping Your Soil Healthy. Chapter 7: Keeping Your Plants Healthy. Chapter 8: Growing Organic. Part III: Growing Your Favourite Vegetables. Chapter 9: Going Underground with Root Vegetables. Chapter 10: Exploring More Root Vegetables. Chapter 11: Bringing Home the Brassicas. Chapter 12: Growing Wholesome Herbs. Chapter 13: Cultivating Everyday Essentials. Chapter 14: Growing Leafy Greens. Chapter 15: Planting Beans, Peas and Other Odds and Pods. Chapter 16: Growing More Unusual Veg. Part IV: Extending Your Allotment Repertoire. Chapter 17: Growing Fruitful Fruit. Chapter 18: Nurturing Flowers on an Allotment. Part V: Getting the Most Out of Your Allotment. Chapter 19: Involving Children on the Allotment. Chapter 20: Hobnobbing with Allotment Society. Chapter 21: Entering the World of Giants. Part VI: The Part of Tens. Chapter 22: Ten Common Mistakes to Avoid. Chapter 23: Ten Ways to Revive a Flagging Allotment. Index.

Sven Wombwell is a garden and allotment expert. He starred in BBC1′s Garden Invaders series, presenting with Charlie Dimmock, and has featured on GMTV, This Morning and UKTV Style Gardens, amongst other programmes. Alongside his media commitments, Sven designs gardens around the globe.