Ornamental Kitchen Garden

[Snadger]

Just bought a used copy of the above book by Geoff Hamilton for £4.14 delivered from Amazon!

I used to be a great admirer of this type of gardening and only whilst looking at an old picture of my own garden whilst following his advice did I make a concious decision I wished to return to this type of gardening!

Looking forward to receiving book! Cheaper than eBay!

[Alice]

Yes, I think so Snadger. I grow my kitchen garden in my own garden, and I like to have it looking good. I know it might be more difficult on allotments but I can't see why they can't look good too.
Yes I did see the pic you posted recently of when you used to grow in your garden. That's my style.
This was the path to my kitchen garden in my last house.
I won't be able to achieve the same here - not enough time or space, but I will have an ornamental kitchen garden. Good luck with your project.

[bluemoon]

I loved his 'Dig for Victory' garden, not exactly ornamental, but it did have that lovely, rambling old-fashioned look that I'd love to achieve on my plot.

[Seahorse]

It's a truly lovely book Snadger, one of my all time favourites. I've a way to go yet but it's full of inspiration, advice and beautiful pictures.

[Paulottie]

I Loved the series, Unluclily don't own the book but I was a big fan and Think that he was years ahead of his time. It struck me that he actually knew about gardening ......unlike the current leader of GW...(sorry, think he's a bit of a twit)

Apart from looking good there were a lot of benefits...eg. pests are less likely to find your veg. I think the secret is to always have the next thing waiting in the wings - to pop into any space that becomes available...after his sprinkling of BFB and bucket of compost. The garden had a really strong structure to it. I loved some of his homespun ideas, I often see things on allotments etc. that I first saw him do (blue waterpipe cloches a classic example.

Might have to treat myself to the book!...good luck with it all Snadger

[nick the grief]

you can get the series as a boxed set with paradise gardens and Cottage gardens Snadger. The one I'm wanting is the War time kitchen garden done by Peter Thoday & Harry Dodson from the Victorian series but they've never released that on Video/DVD for some reason. I did see the book in the library a few years ago

[JennieAtkinson]

I got the boxed cd set for christmas last year and just love watching all of it. Certainly recommend it.

[bramble]

Alice, loved your pic. Can only imagine what your new garden will look like when you have finished.
It must be lovely to start with a blank canvas knowing the mistakes you made in the past.

[Snadger]

Just a small thankyou to Book logic and Amazon! I received the book today, it's in excellent condition.
I must be getting old though.......at one time I couldn't wait to get into bed with OH.........now I can't wait to get to bed with my book!

[wellie]

"You ought to be ashamed of yourself Snadger!" said Wellie (curling up on the sofa with her cat and the 2009 edition of Maria & Matthias Thun's Biodynamic Sowing and Planting Calendar.)......

[Snadger]

Ok............I aint read the book yet, buttttt:- How do you work out crop rotation when the beds are full of veggies, herbs, annual flowers, perrenial flowers , shrubs,perennial veg, fruit, soft fruit etc etc?

Sounds like a lot of planning to get that unplanned look!

[ChocClare]

Isn't the point that you don't need crop rotation when you plant like that?

I'm pretty sure if you look in the back of the book somewhere it says something like "crop rotation is a waste of time in a small garden". Or something. I know he addresses it somewhere in the book anyway!

Send lots of piccies when you've got it up and running - I've had the book for years, just need Geoff to come and plant the garden for me (which might be understandably difficult as he's no longer with us!!).

[Snadger]

[quote=ChocClare;350372]Isn't the point that you don't need crop rotation when you plant like that?

quote]

Twas beginning tio think that mesell clare, not a formal rotation anyway! Haven't got that far in the book yet though!

[Paulottie]

Clare's right. It is more like catch cropping really and so things are constantly rotating..just don't follow like with like.....very jealous of your book Snadger...been haemorrhaging money with economy, Xmas, trip to France and Wife's 40th,...but will definitely treat myself for my birthday in May...I've got his plant encyclopaedia on this puter!

[Adrastea]

Just bought a used copy of the above book by Geoff Hamilton for £4.14 delivered from Amazon!

I used to be a great admirer of this type of gardening and only whilst looking at an old picture of my own garden whilst following his advice did I make a concious decision I wished to return to this type of gardening!

Looking forward to receiving book! Cheaper than eBay!

I've just been looking to buy this book now ( I got the DVD set for xmas) and found your post through google!!! (although I am a member of this forum... )

I have a few of Geoff Hamilton's books as he is my most favourite gardening presenter with his down to earth and practical approach. Unfortunately I was just getting into gardening when Geoff died, so I missed all those years of inspiration and advice.
After seeing 'The Ornamental Kitchen Garden' at xmas I have been quite inspired to make over the garden, which now resembles a demolition site! <... logging off to go to amazon...>