Newbie

[Rondaroo]

Hi everyone

my hubby and I have just acquired an allotment. We're very excited and are going to see it this weekend.

We'd like to know if there are any basic books for beginners that anyone could recommend?

We're planning to grow our own vegetables, herbs and maybe some fruit.

Thanks in advance

Rondaroo

[Bex]

Hi Rondaroo and Welcome to the vine. Isn't getting an allotment exciting, I've had mine for about 5 weeks now and although it is hard work getting the weeds out it has been great fun.

Bookwise I would recommend "The Allotment Book" by Andi Clevely, Monkeybum recommended it to me and it is great for novice gardeners, lots of help with getting your allotment organised, compost etc.

Good luck with it and don't worry about asking questions everyone here is really friendly and extremely helpful.

Best Wishes

[HappyMouffe]

Hi Rondaroo, I agree with Bex about "The Allotment Book" which also has lots of pictures to keep you dreaming until next summer when hopefully the alllotment will start to bear fruit.

And welcome

[JennieAtkinson]

Hi Rondaroo and welcome to the Vine. Hope you get "hooked" like the rest of us! Both to the Vine and Veg growing!

[Shortie]

Hi Rondaroo.... welcome to the vine!

[Rondaroo]

Awww

thanks so much for the tip off about the book, will defo purchase it.
And thanks for making me feel so welcome everyones seems so nice.

We're off to see the polt tomorrow so will let you know how we get on

Bye for now

[yoanbob]

hi rondaroo, welcome to the mad house, we like john seymores self sufficency book, its a bit full on tho.
good luck, it'll be worth it!

[Snadger]

hi rondaroo, welcome to the mad house, we like john seymores self sufficency book, its a bit full on tho.
good luck, it'll be worth it!

Seymores books are what orginally got me into self sufficiency....and The Good Life of course!

[Snadger]

Forgot to mention...Welcome to the Vine rondaroo!!

[scooby]

Hi Rondaroo, welcome to the vine.

Joy Larkcom's Grow Your Own Vegetables is full of advice and covers virtually every aspect of veg growing ISBN 0 7112 1963 X good luck

[Lesley Jay]

Welcome to this mad house Rondaroo!! I am sure you will enjoy it here.

[Mrs Dobby]

Hi Rondaroo! Welcome to the vine, there's a great bunch of grapes in here, who are of all experience levels, some like me and Mr Dobby are also newbies, others have lots of experience and are all friendly and as helpful as you could wish for! I hope you enjoy the vine!

We got our allotment 8 weeks ago on Sunday, it was 8' deep in weeds, but a bit of hard work and now its looking great, plus its been both enjoyable and fulfilling working on it! We've laughed, cried, lost weight, toned up, been eaten by midges, made some new friends, enjoyed the peace and tranquility, found some bonus fruit and veg (amongst the weeds) and learnt a lot in such a short time! I hope you find it as much fun clearing your plot ready for bumper crops next year!

[Nicos]

Dr D G Hessayon has a series of books and have been v popular for years. He has 2 easy to follow books- The Vegetable and Herb expert and The Fruit Expert. They are very easy to find, and I should think every library will have a copy if you fancy a brouse before buying your own copies.(about £7 each)

[Dobby]

Hi Rondaroo welcome to the vine!
Yes The
Dr D G Hessayon books are great and in B & Q there only £5.99 Im always on the look out for a bargin

[Rondaroo]

Good to hear what you've been up to on your new plot Mrs Dobby.
Hubby and me are off to ours tomorrow and I'm really excited to get started. We haven't a clue what state ours is in but we don't care. We'll roll up our sleeves and get stuck in.

Will let you know how we get on.

Rhonda

PS good news about toning and weight loss, an added bonus