Allotment Gardening For Dummies

Allotment Gardening For Dummies is a lively, hands-on guide to getting the most out of your allotment. Whether you're interested in eating fresh, saving money, getting exercise or enjoying wholesome family fun, this is the guide for you. 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 Allotment Gardening For Dummies is a lively, hands-on guide to getting the most out of your allotment. Whether you're interested in eating fresh, saving money, getting exercise or enjoying wholesome family fun, this is the guide for you. The step-by-step advice takes you through all the stages in the process, from securing an allotment and preparing your plot, to choosing what to grow and enjoying the benefits of abundant fresh food and a sociable and healthy hobby. With over 50 handy line drawings, plus information on how to grow organic and advice on storing and cooking the food you grow, this guide really does have it all! Allotment Gardening For Dummies includes: Part 1: Getting to Grips with Allotment Gardening Chapter 1: What Are Allotments All About? Chapter 2: Getting hold of an Allotment Chapter 3: Getting Started Part 2: Preparing for Allotment Success Chapter 4: Deciding What to Grow, When Chapter 5: Preparing Your Plot Chapter 6: Keeping Your Soil Healthy Chapter 7: Keeping Your Plants Healthy Chapter 8: Growing Organic Part 3: Growing a Few of Your Favourite Vegetables Chapter 9: Going Underground Chapter 10: The Staples Chapter 11: Growing Leafy Greens Chapter 12: Planting Peas, Beans and Other Pods Chapter 13: Growing More Exotic Veg Part 4: Extending Your Allotment Repetoire Chapter 14: Growing Wholesome Herbs Chapter 15: Growing Fruitful Fruit Chapter 16: Nurturing Flowers on an Allotment Part 5: Getting the Most Out of Your Allotment Chapter 17: Involving Children Around the Allotment Chapter 18: Hobnobbing with Allotment Society Chapter 19: Growing Giant Veg Part 6: The Part of Tens Chapter Chapter 20: Ten Common Accidents and How to Prevent Them Chapter 21: Ten Ways to Revive a Flagging Allotment