the best garden reference book....ever!

[Anothercuppa]

Hi all,
Here I am a new member and completely new to all this gardening. As a family we've taken steps to have a small allotment and try to grow our own veggies. I guess it's going to be a complete minefield as to where to start. I was wondering whether there may be a favourite reference book you have that anyone could suggest i start with, that will guide me in the right direction as to growing your own veggies, salad and herbs. Any help will be very much appreciated. I can't wait to get planning and started. Look forward to picking up tips as we go along from the forum. Thanks everyone.

[phil the shed]

for basic good information on vegetables spacings, depths, time to plant / time to harvest pick up dr hessayoun vegetable expert good reference starter

and for me any book by andy clevely great hints and tips.

[shirlthegirl43]

Hi and welcome. I second the recommendation for Dr Hessayon's Vegetable and Herb Expert - reasonably priced and good basic advice on all sorts

[Jardiniere]

BUT BUT BUT doesnt he use weedkillers and insecticides????

[Comfreyfan]

Yep - Dr Hessayon's Vegetable and Herb Expert. Clearly tells you what to do when and how to do it. It was my first book and because I'm a bit of a bookaholic I've acquired a lot more gardening books since, but it's still my main reference.

[rustylady]

BUT BUT BUT doesnt he use weedkillers and insecticides????

There are bits where he covers pests and diseases and says which products can be used. However you don't have to use chemicals if you don't want to and he doesn't actually advocate using them, just provides information. I find the veg expert invaluable. It tells you plant spacing, expected germination time, yield per plant, storage time for seeds to remain viable etc, etc, etc.

[Comfreyfan]

I just ignore those bits Jardiniere! The actual growing instructions are great.

[kiwirach]

the other thing i like about Dr Hessayon's Vegetable and Herb Expert is that he illustrates diseases that are common to each plant he covers, which when you're starting out is a great help....again, i dont follow his advice on chemicals....i aim for organic but armed with what i have to tackle i can look for advice elsewhere!.

[Nicos]

I have 2 of that book...one at home and the other covered with mud in the shed on the lottie.
I can never remember planting distances etc, even after all these years!

[Novice Gardener]

Well I've not been growing for that long, but I was lucky enough to get a lottie so I got the Allotment Handbook by Andi Clevelly (might have spelt that wrong) and I recently bought The Kitchen Gardener by Alan Titchmarsh - this one I found really useful in explaining and illustrating stuff like pinching out tomatoes and pruning fruit canes. In the shops the AT one was £20, but I googled it and got one from The Book People for £8.99

[Anothercuppa]

Hi All, Many thanks for taking the time out to help me out. I'll look forward to getting my hands on Dr Hessayon's book ans any other reference books i find along the way. Have a great weekend all.

[Headfry]

Nicos, I also have two, like you - one on plot and one at home!
I now have many books, but this is the best for quick clear advice and great for beginers!
I will always recommend this book to those that ask.."which book" ?

[Nicos]

It's my friend's birthday tomorrow- and as she's been helping out on our lottie over the past few months - I've bought her the vegetable book and his fruit one!!!!
She's going to GYO in her garden next year in tubs, so they should come in very handy!

Anything by Bob Flowerdew is fantastic organic growing advice. There are loads at the library for reference to read before you buy!!!!

[Stacey Steve]

The "Expert" series of books are very good for basic knowledge, complimented by advanced knowledge from The Grapevine of course.

When planning my plantings, I put things into 3 catagories.

Pigeon food
Slug food
Multipurpose pigeon and slug food

[Nicos]

When planning my plantings, I put things into 3 catagories.

Pigeon food
Slug food
Multipurpose pigeon and slug food

LOVE that!!!!!!