Thursday 31 October 2013

The Allotment Planner

I was asked if I would like to review a new book which is about to be released, The Allotment Planner: More Than 200 Ways To Enjoy Your Plot Month By Month by Matthew Appleby, and I jumped at the chance.


I've had allotment planners in the past and was expecting something along the same lines, a book divided in to monthly sections with guidelines on what to sow when, and what you should be doing on your plot at a particular time. This book does have those features but so much more besides.

There is an introduction by Alys Fowler, and as she says, "Just don't - whatever you do - leave this book at home: it's one to sit in the allotment shed". I believe this is true, it's got a nice sturdy hardback cover and the attached elastic ensures that the book remains closed. Essentials if it's going to withstand being used on an allotment site.

Each monthly section gives details of what to sow and what to harvest as well as providing space to jot down any notes. There are also gardening quotes from famous people such as Frances Hodgson Burnett, Iggy Pop, Jane Austen and Thomas Jefferson to name but a few.


The thing which I love most about this book are the ideas to really get the most from your allotment and make it more than just a place to grow food. There's projects entitled Dinner On Your Plot, Aim High With Sunflowers, Create Your Own Buzz and Create A Haven For Birds as well as many more.


So many people take on an allotment only to give it up after a season or two because they find it too much work. Making the time spent on your allotment fun and enjoyable could really help with this issue.


There's some lovely photography in the book too which illustrates the projects very well.


This is a book I can see myself dipping in to quite a bit over winter while I'm waiting for the new gardening season to start. It should give me some good ideas for next year.

If you'd like to have a copy of this book yourself, the publishers, Aurum Publishing Group, are offering one as a giveaway prize. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post before twelve noon on Sunday the 10th of November 2013, after which, a name will be drawn at random. Please note that this giveaway is open to UK/EU only and that I will be passing on the winner's name and address details to the publishing company in order for them to send out your prize.

To order The Allotment Planner at the discounted price of £12.00 including p&p* (RRP: £14.99), telephone 01903 828503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk and quote the offer code APG34. 

Alternatively, send a cheque made payable to: 
Littlehampton Book Services Mail Order Department, 
Littlehampton Book Services, 
PO Box 4264, 
Worthing, West Sussex 
BN13 3RB. 

Please quote the offer code APG34 and include your name and address details. 
 

 
*UK ONLY - Please add £2.50 if ordering from overseas.
 

30 comments:

  1. Crikey - I'm just reviewing this book myself and mark already has, They must have asked us all! I'm not reading any reviews 'til I've written mine!

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    1. There's more than us three, I've seen other reviews too. I look forward to hearing what you think of it.

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  2. Hi

    I would love to be considered please.

    Donna

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  3. As you know I've also got a copy to read and review, so please don't include me in the draw.
    I've had a browse and it's looks to be a really good book as you've confirmed here. Flighty xx

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    1. It's a book I'm going to enjoy reading, something to keep looking at when time allows. There looks to be some great projects in there.

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  4. Oh I'm sure that this would find a welcome place in my bookshelves Jo so would like to be entered please.
    From what you say it looks different from the standard month by month 'how to' books. Thanks for your review.

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    Replies
    1. I'll certainly pop your name in the draw. I was expecting the bog standard allotment planner, but I was pleasantly surprised, I'm sure you'd enjoy it.

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  5. It sounds as though I should have a look at this, I do not have an allotment but do have a very large garden. It is never too late to learn and I do like a good read.

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    Replies
    1. It's definitely worth a read, even if you don't have an allotment. Most of the ideas could be adapted to a garden.

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  6. It sounds great. I'd be interested to hear what Iggy Pop has to say!

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    Replies
    1. Ha ha, not someone you would necessarily connect with gardening.

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  7. Oh wow, that really does sound like a smashin' little book! I'd love to be in the draw.
    Sorry Jo, I seem to be behind reading your posts....I was sitting here thinking...Jo hasn't posted in a while, then suddenly remembered I don't get email notifications of your posts!!! xxxx

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    Replies
    1. I'll pop you in the draw. I wish I knew how to set up email notifications, I'm so behind on technology.

      Delete
  8. It looks like this book with good illustrations etc. would be a great Christmas gift for a certain Mr. Gardener and I would be interested in Alys Fowler's intro and the literary quotes!

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    1. I think it would be a great Christmas pressie for any gardener, I'll pop you in the draw.

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  9. Hi Jo,
    Please add my name to the hat for the Allotment Planner.Your review makes it sound loke a very intersting read.
    Have a good weekend.

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    Replies
    1. I think it's a really interesting book, I'll definitely be plunging in and out of it. I'll definitely add your name to the hat.

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  10. I'd love to be entered into the draw, I love a good gardening book with some projects!! Also an obsessive planner, so sounds like my kind of book!

    Hoping your copy is proving useful for you and will do throughout next year too :)

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    1. I'll certainly pop your name in the hat, it sounds like your kind of book. I'm enjoying picking it up and reading about another project, I think I'll get lots of use out of it.

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  11. Please add my name to the pot, I always need organising! Thank you xxx

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    Replies
    1. I'm just the same, this book will certainly help. I'll add your name to the pot.

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  12. Hi please add my name, I need all the help and advice I can get, many thanks, Stella

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've added your name to the hat. Good luck.

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  13. Hi Jo - sounds like a source of inspiration even beyond the allotment. Food for thought (sorry). Please do add me to the hat! Best, Sarah

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    1. I think it is. I'll certainly add your name to the hat.

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  14. Thanks for this very comprehensive review, Jo. I saw this book on Flighty's blog and thought it looked interesting so it's good to know more about it. I'd love a copy so please enter me your competition. I've a sneaking suspicion that I'll be buying it anyway - I'm dying to know Iggy Pop's gardening quote!

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    1. I will certainly enter you in the giveaway. If you're not the lucky one, you may like to know that I've seen this book on The Book People website at £4.99.

      Delete
  15. Well looks like I'm just in time to not miss the give-away (which to be honest makes a change..lol) Your review is very different I find from Sue's Jo which has me even more intrigued over the book. I guess the point of the exercise was to get a wide range of reviews and peek people's interest which after reading the two totally different reviews it certainly has done!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just in time to be added to the hat. I think we all have different views on things so it's good to get a range of reviews, though you won't really know what it's like until you read it yourself.

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