Not concise enough - Rated 
This book is neither one thing nor t'other. It is not a hand-holding guide to setting up your allotment step-by-step, and it is certainly not a reference book. It has helped give me a few ideas, and most vegetables are covered, but it's infuriatingly difficult to find what you need, and leaves you guessing in vital areas. The tone is nice, and friendly, and soft, and unintimidating for a beginner, but the information is something of a damp squib.
All the basics in one book - Rated 
I've had a very productive and quite big allotment for 2 and a half years now. This is the first allotment guide I ever bought and still the one I use the most. All of the basics are there in a clear and concise format. I've got no idea what the one-star reviewers are on about: I agree that it is not an exhaustive guide, but note that it is for BEGINNERS! An excellent choice if you're just starting out.
Really useful starters guide - Rated
I've been meaning to write this review for a while now as I've found this book to be a really useful guide to starting up my allotment which has been up and running just over a year now. I think it contains just the right level of information to get the beginner up and running and not put them off by overwhelming them with complex and superfluous gardening jargon. I felt as well that it had just the right balance between ideas on how to get the allotment up and running, soil improvement, crop rotation, seed suppliers etc.. and information on various veggies, herbs, companion plants and common pests. The recipes were a nice touch as well.
Overall, once you've got started and know what you want to grow you'll probably want to search out more detailed information but if you want help reaching that stage in the first place, you can't really go wrong with this book.
Praise from Oxford - Rated
This book is an allotment holder's dream -- a thoroughly researched, attractive, clear, well-written and commonsense guide to good and effective practice. Each page is packed with advice and suggestions, excellent tips and even recipes. Its indexing and cross references are invaluable, as are its listing of organic seed merchants and of flowers which are both beautiful and promote vegetable growth. An essential handbook for eyars to come.
praise from Oxford - Rated
This book is an allotment holder's dream -- a thoroughly researched, attractive, clear, well-written and commonsense guide to good and effective practice. Each page is packed with advice and suggestions, excellent tips and even recipes! Its indexing and cross-references are invaulable, as are its listing of organic seed merchants and of flowers which are both beautiful and promote vegetable growth. An essential handbook for years to come.
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