The first thing to catch my attention were the wonderful photos. I love looking round other people's plots, seeing what they're growing, how they've got it set out and picking up any tips, and there's some fabulous photos of allotment sites and various plots in this book.
The first chapter deals with The Half-Hour Principle which was dreamt up by Will Sibley, a nurseryman and allotment holder. He worked out a way to maintain his plot and meet a good proportion of his family's fruit and vegetable needs by working on his plot just half an hour each day with weekends off.
Other chapters in the book include Taking on a plot, Deciding what to grow, Growing the best varieties, Keeping on top of your plot, The first year, Nurturing your plants, Managing pests and diseases, An allotment for children and What next? I'd say that the book is aimed at the beginner rather than someone who already has an allotment as there's some rather basic information provided, and the principle of working on the plot little and often is a great way to ensure that new allotmenteers see progress being made on their plot and don't become overwhelmed. We often see people take on a plot before realising that it's hard work and giving it up again in the first year, this book should help to ensure this doesn't happen.
The book reinforces the concept of growing for flavour rather than uniform looks as many commercial growers do.
The Veg Varieties chapter gives lots of information on a whole host of different fruit and veg providing tips and recommended cultivars too.
How's this for a luxury bug hotel, isn't it fabulous? I've been meaning to have a go at making something similar but still haven't got round to it. Having something like this will encourage a variety of useful pollinating insects to nest and hibernate on your plot.
All in all, I think RHS: The Half-Hour Allotment is a great little book, I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who's thinking of taking on an allotment and those who already have an allotment may find some parts useful to read as I did.
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I bet most allotment-holders do most of their work at weekends, rather than half an hour a day during the week! Getting to and from the plot could easily consume more than half an hour. I agree that most people under-estimate the amount of care and attention (and hence time) needed for successful production of vegetables.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it could be hard allocating half an hour on weekdays to the plot, especially once the clocks have gone back as they just have. Mick doesn't get in from work until about two hours after dark so he certainly wouldn't be able to work on the plot during the week. Allotments are very hard work, there's no denying that, it's a shame that many people don't realise this until they've taken on a plot but this book gives lots of good advice on time management which should hopefully help anyone new to it.
DeleteLooks like a good book. I suppose the simple principle could apply to a garden.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, and I think it would be easier to put it in to practice in a garden where you only have to step outside the back door too.
DeleteA good review, and pictures, about what looks to be an excellent book, especially new plotting newcomers.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a bug hotel either, and like you it's something I've been meaning to make. Flighty xx
I really do think this is a great book for new allotment holders, lots of great advice and plenty of hints and tips. I think the bug hotel shown in the book is fantastic, they have something similar at Harlow Carr and I always go home thinking how I must do something about building one but still haven't.
Deletelove the bug hotel, we are putting more bug things into our garden, I love the wildlife.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I've got lots of wildlife habitats sited around the garden but I love these bug hotels, I must get round to making one.
DeleteGood review would make a lovely pressie for some-one just taking on an allotment, my veg plot is just out the door so very easy to keep on top of :-)
ReplyDeleteIt would make a wonderful present for anyone thinking of taking on a plot. I definitely think it's much easier to keep on top of tasks when you only have to go outside the door, it takes a little more effort when you've got a distance to get there.
DeleteThat luxury bug hotel is magnificent. Bug houses are very popular aren't they.
ReplyDeleteWhether it's gardens or allotments or even housework time can sometimes be on the short side, there sometimes needs to be more than 24 hours in a day!. We just have to do our best, well that's what I keep telling myself!!!
All the best Jan
I think people have started taking on board how beneficial insects can be, especially when growing veg, so we gardeners want to encourange as many as we can. I definitely agree about time, it always seems to be in short supply, so many things I want to do but so little time to do them.
DeleteI love that bug hotel !
ReplyDeleteMe too. I'd love one like that in my garden.
DeleteThat does sound like a smashin' little read. Oh yes, that bug hotel is utterly fabulous!xxx
ReplyDeleteI've thoroughly enjoyed reading it and think it would make for some great winter reading for anyone thinking of taking on a plot next year. I really must have a go at building a bug hotel of my own, this one has given me inspiration.
DeleteI've read a few of Lia's books Jo and have always enjoyed them. I've got her latest out of the library at the moment. I have a feeling that 'The Half Hour Allotment' has been out for a few years and think that I've read it. I remember chuckling somewhat wryly at the title.
ReplyDeleteI think working on the plot half an hour each day is great in principle, it's putting in to practice that's the tricky bit for me, however, I do know that if I'd devoted this amount of time to my plot this year, it would be in a much better state than it is at present.
DeleteAnother excellent book review, Jo. That bug hotel is amazing -- I'd love one. I also wanted to read the section on setting up a potting shed. Allotments are purely British -- none here. But I'm finding there are more and more community gardens. P. x
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame you don't have allotments over there, though community gardens are a great idea. I know many Americans are fascinated by allotments, I'm sure they'd be very popular if they were available.
DeleteEvery time I go into the garden I seem to spend much more time than I think I will - there are just so many tasks that need attending to, especially as my garden is very much a WIP. I'm wondering if I could maintain a "finished" garden in that little amount of time each day. Probably not as I do enjoy puttering and I don't think any garden is truly every "finished". You can always find "something else" to do.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right. Also, you want your veg plot to look good with it being in your garden, that aspect isn't so important on an allotment. I do know what you mean about spending alot of time attending to tasks though, it's so easy to spot more things that need seeing to than you had originally intended spending time on and then time is just eaten away.
DeleteLove the bug hotel.
ReplyDeleteIt's great, isn't it? So many different little places for all manner of bugs to hide out.
DeleteIt seems the perfect book for you Jo.
ReplyDeleteFull of useful information for those who love an allotment :)
Love the bug hotel..........have them all around my garden, they do a fantastic job at bringing in the good guys :)
It's definitely the perfect book for me at the moment when I'm struggling to fit any work on the allotment in to my time schedule. The bug hotel is fantastic, I've got a few bought hotels dotted around the garden but I've been meaning to make something like this for a long time, I really must get round to it soon.
Delete