Introduction: Go for an allotment The importance of food provenance; its beneficial health effects; getting inspiration on site; best varieties to grow and eat; money-saving benefits; tools you will need. CH1 Where to start Applying for a new plot, new neighbours, viewing potential sites, clearing the ground, soil testing, planning what crops to grow. Establishing your ethos: no dig, double dig, raised beds, organic, using chemicals, biodynamic, the one-hour allotment, the one-day allotment. Planning your allotment: designing something different, typical constraints, paths and boundaries, companion planting and catch-cropping, furniture, sheds, water supply, crop rotation, compost. Ch2 Planning your crops: cultivating advice, soil requirements, sowing/planting, watering, feeding, spacing, general health and a list of top RHS Recommended varieties. Roots & tubers: Potatoes, Carrots, Beetroots, Radishes, Parsnips, Swedes, Turnips, Jerusalem artichokes. Vegetable fruits: tomatoes, courgettes, marrows, pumpkins, squashes, sweetcorn, peppers, aubergines. The onion family: onions, garlic, shallots, leeks. The pumpkin family: squashes and melons: Stem and perennial vegetables: asparagus, celery, rhubarb, Legumes: peas, broad beans, runner beans, French beans. Brassicas: cabbages, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels, kale. Salads and leaves: lettuce, spinach, chicory, rocket, cucumber. Herbs: basil, bay, borage, chives, coriander, dill, fennel, marjoram, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme. Tree fruit: apples, pears, plums, cherries, figs, peaches, Soft fruit: currants, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, Vine fruit: grapes, melons, kiwi. Edible and ornamental flowers. Crop planner: Sowing, harvesting times for every crop included. Problem solver: Weeds: identifying and solving; Pests: identifying and solving; Diseases: identifying and solving Reference section: Seed suppliers. Allotment organisations. Useful contacts. Index Acknowledgements
