Allotments 4 All

As I'm new to this (a lotty virgin, seems such a long time since I was any sort of virigin  ::)) I would like to read up on what it is I'm supposed to be doing, apart from waging war with what most people would think was woodland.  

I've had a poke about and found The HDRA Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening which I've been told is good.  Anyone know if it's useful (tis on Amazon wishlist, so I havent actually got it yet) or any help re: useful books that go right from the basics through to advanced carrot encouragement etc  I'm especially interested in older methods and techniques.....

Any help gratefully received (need a good book to curl up with through the chilly dark nights)

M xx

I've got a good one - Joy Larkcom's "Grow your own vegetables".

Doesn't have anything in it about carrot encouragement though...

When I've finished it I'll lend it to you.

No pretty piccies though!

Ten x

A very good book for beginners is 'The Vegetable & Herb Expert' by D.G. Hessayon. It gives easy to read advice on a wide range of veg and covers sowing, looking after the crop and what pests etc to look out for. It also lists varieties of the various veg and comments on their respective characteristics.

I have seen this book on sale in most garden centres and bookshops/newsagents such as WH Smiths etc. Furthermore, it does not cost an arm and a leg...list price on book is £5.99.  

On a more general note the other books in this EXPERT series by the same author also appear to be usefull if you are looking for books on such subjects as fruit trees, flowers etc.
Hope this helps,
Thomas

Oh Thomasb,
............. be prepared for some comments....
 there are some on these boards who will develop nervous tics at the mention of "The Great D.G Hessayon"
 Books are easy to use, however, and quite helpful.

I bought the vegetable and herb expert by D.G. Hessayon on Saturday. It is very informative and costs £6.99 (not as cheap as i thought it would be).

Very useful though for a beginner like me. ???

i've bought d g hessayons "pocket vegetable guide" it only cost £3.99 from a local book shop. it's great for newbies like me.  it's very informative too, although the best way is to ask other lottie owners around you ( and hard-earned experience).

I have several of the Hessayon books. I find them a usefull quick reference, particularly the 'pocket' versions of which I have three: Vegetables, Shrubs, and Flowers.

Whenever I want to check up on how to grow a plant, I tend to look there first.

This said I am now looking to get a proper plant encyclopedia to broaden my knowledge.  can anyone recomend a good, but inexpensive one (under £20)?

Thanks

....just when us ex-beebies thought it was safe to go into the Plottie...

cue menacing music...dah..dah..dah..dum.. scream!!!   :o :o

Quote....just when us ex-beebies thought it was safe to go into the Plottie...

cue menacing music...dah..dah..dah..dum.. scream!!!   :o :o

 ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? Alishka???

Care to explain?

D./-C.

Self-translating?

Can't advise on the best, but a couple of other thoughts -
1. An encylopedia is great, but some things move on -  varieties, techniques etc.  
2. No one book gives it all - same as in cooking.
3. I do know that it's not the same, but how much do you glean from the net? I have a folder of many, many fullsome briefs on every aspect of gardening - and you can pick and choose the guidance that seems to suit you.
4. Value? Yes Amazon - and Red Books etc?? = Tim

QuoteD./-C.

Lish

i have the which guide to growing your own vegetables and it is excellent.

Like many of you I resorted to books in my early days, then I  kept diaries adjusted to my needs.

Now I have written a website (based on my diaries) in the form of a book.

Have a look when you find the time.........incidently it is FREE!

Oh thought DC had arrived?
Hi The Gardener whats the web page of your site.
Me going back to basics old methords and Luna gardening still struggling but will get there.
Lovely Irish chap down lottie gardens the old style very informative bless him.

Click on the little house under my logo Teresa to get to my website.

Thank you gardener looks lovely

hey gardener - i am your 1001st visitor - kewl!

Hi Campanula

Hope you are still looking around at 2001.

Coincidently I was 1000 so it made my day.

We do have some clever chaps around!

So - if you do have botrytis on your lettuce, what next?? = Tim

Hi all

I got given a book for Christmas by my Dad, (good old boy).  It is again by the good Dr Hessayon, its called the Vegetable Jotter.

It tells you about the difficulty of different veggies, how and when to sow/transfer, and has lots of spaces for you to make notes on what you have actually done so builds up into a record of your lottie.

It also gives you an insight into all the different variaeties and which are best suited for your needs.

I used it last night to plan what we were going to grow......when we finally get to the stage of planting something.

We have a lot of work to do before March....

Les.

Yes - like sterilising the greenhouse? =  Tim

LOL