[bluelou]

Hopefully getting my first Plot the end of this year and would like to do some reading on Plot design. The council have only been able to give a little land for allotments, so the plot is going to be less than half the size of a normal plot but it is something, so wantt to make the most of the plot.

Does anyone know of any good books for first time allotment owners or plot design?

[plot6b]

I think a certain J Harrison might have written a book or two on the subject You can buy them of this site and they are a good read!!!!!!!!!!!! Look in the allotment shop section

[compostqueen]

there are some very good plot plans and numbers of veg per row etc with yield details and such like in the Joy Larkcom Grow Veg handbook

If you're short of space then you should only grow stuff you know you will eat.  Sounds obvious but often peeps grow stuff which ends in the compost bin or is given away. Sad but true

[barbarella]

Two books which I use a lot are Allotment Gardening by Christine and Michael Lavelle and The Allotment Specialist by A & G Bridgewater.  You can get them on Amazon - http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Allotment+gardening%2BChristine+and+Michael+Lavelle&x=0&y=0 and http://www.amazon.co.uk/Allotment-Specialist-Alan-Bridgewater/dp/1845374827/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282580010&sr=8-1

I have just checked and they both have good sections on plot design.  Don't worry that your plot will be too small.  Lots of plots now are only half or quarter size of the traditional plot and they are big enough for most people unless you are retired and want to spend all your time tending it.  I've only got a quarter plot and I must admit I would like one twice the size so that I could grow soft fruit and flowers for cutting, but that would be a luxury.

[bluelou]

Thanks for the book ideas. I think i bit of book shopping is in order. 

[bluelou]

Thanks Barbarella, it would be great to grow flowers for cutting and fruits, maybe one day.  Have you ever tried the patio fruit trees , i keep thinking about trying them but i dont know must about them.

Two books which I use a lot are Allotment Gardening by Christine and Michael Lavelle and The Allotment Specialist by A & G Bridgewater.  You can get them on Amazon - http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Allotment+gardening%2BChristine+and+Michael+Lavelle&x=0&y=0 and http://www.amazon.co.uk/Allotment-Specialist-Alan-Bridgewater/dp/1845374827/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1282580010&sr=8-1

I have just checked and they both have good sections on plot design.  Don't worry that your plot will be too small.  Lots of plots now are only half or quarter size of the traditional plot and they are big enough for most people unless you are retired and want to spend all your time tending it.  I've only got a quarter plot and I must admit I would like one twice the size so that I could grow soft fruit and flowers for cutting, but that would be a luxury.

[barbarella]

I can't help you there I'm afraid Bluelou.  I have got two citrus trees which were going cheap at Homebase (with a tip off from my son who works there ) but when I look at patio fruit trees in catalogues I always think - hmm, a lot of looking after for what can't be a very big crop.  The fruit on the citrus trees by the way turned out to be ornamental and quite bitter - a bit like a kumquat but they are very pretty so I don't mind. 

I wouldn't mind trying something like a blueberry bush in a pot, but like you I would welcome any growing advice. 

[bluelou]

I have just ordered The Allotment Specialist, it looks great. I cant wait to read it, is that sad!!!

barbarella, i think i am going to ask on the forum to see it anyone knows about the patio trees but i know what you mean about the amount of work for 4 apples.