SELF-SUFFICIENCY

A wonderfully illustrated celebration of the blood, sweat and joy to be had 'growing your own' in an allotment - with the in-depth, practical gardening know-how Collins is renowned for. No longer considered the preserve of old men in sheds, allotment gardening is currently enjoying a renaissance of interest. People of all ages and from all walks of life are digging their own plots in search of the ultimate in fresh, organic produce - and you cannot get more locally-sourced than your own allotment! This book testifies to the new vibrancy of allotment culture, aiming both to inspire the next generation of plot-holders and to provide all the practical knowledge needed to turn a patch of soil into a lifelong adventure. Open to all the new eco-gardening techniques, and the various weird and wonderful ways people make use of their plots, contents include: the history of allotments - from 19th century origins, through wartime 'Dig for Victory', to the cosmopolitan communities of today; features photos and interviews with current plot-holders; planning your perfect allotment - finding it, assessing it, clearing the ground and working out what to grow the brown stuff - all you need to know about soil management. It also features the key to growing success choosing a gardening method - organic, biodynamic, rotation beds, companion planting, greenhouse, multi-level, potager, cottage garden, and so on. The hard stuff - constructing sheds, compost bins, cold frames, fruit cages, ponds, seating and play areas selecting crops - what and how to grow, from parsnips and peas to chilli peppers and lemon grass cultivation techniques - digging, sowing, feeding, weeding and harvesting, plus troubleshooting pests and diseases the allotment calendar - extensive, month-by-month look at what's in season, jobs for now and looking ahead.

ISBN: 9780007207596

CORE STOCK Allotment gardening is becoming increasingly popular, proving that there are growing numbers of people who want to grow their own fresh produce. Whether going organic is your passion, food miles are your pet hate or you simply want to enjoy the thrill that growing your own vegetables produces, allotment gardening has something to offer everyone. "The A-Z of Allotment Vegetables" is full of essential information on all the best known vegetable varieties, as well as numerous exotic and lesser-known ones. The main part of the book is the vegetable directory, which tells you everything you need to know about the different vegetable varieties, including information on sowing and planting, cultivation, problems, varieties, and cooking. Many of the vegetable varieties are illustrated in a special colour section, which accompanies the vegetable directory. A delightful chapter on growing for showing explains the history and traditions of exhibiting at flower shows and is followed by useful chapters on gardening techniques and pest and disease control. Packed full of information and with useful tips throughout, this book is essential reading for every allotment gardener.

ISBN 1845372832

Achieving genuine self-sufficiency of the kind described in John Seymour's classic guide is sadly beyond the vast reach of the urban majority today. Few have the space, and for those few there are comprehensive guidebooks. But where do the rest of us look for the answers to questions like how much effort does it really take to grow your own food? Is beekeeping difficult? Is solar power really worth the bother?From a small terraced house in the middle of a big city, Paul Waddington has made it his business to find out, and while trying it himself, has created a practical and absorbing guidebook along the way. It includes easy-to-read lists, tables, personal anecdote, and stunning illustrations, and more importantly demystifies the subject with practical tips that get to the heart of the matter to show you how you can enjoy the fulfilling aspects of the smallholding life without the hassle and expense of 'going all the way'. If you want to go back to the land without leaving home, this is the perfect guide.

ISBN: 9781905811168

Robin Shelton and his mate Steve were complete neophytes when they decided that having an allotment might save them a bit of money. It would also, very importantly, give them the opportunity to build a shed! But what had seemed like a good idea over a couple of beers seemed rather more daunting when faced with a weedy patch of ground. Still, both men were at a crisis point in their lives and the allotment represented their desire to achieve something concrete. They persevered and, despite conflicting and downright baffling advice from their elderly allotment neighbors, managed to plant and grow an impressive array of crops. As he writes about their year in the allotment, Robin describes his own personal journey. When he takes the allotment on he is divorced, broke and suffering from depression. Working on the allotment brings back happy memories of his father, who died when Robin was sixteen, and also draws him closer to his own two sons. Gradually Robin finds stability and a sense of purpose in his life. Both he and Steve end the year wiser and much saner.

ISBN: 9780330441254

"Allotment Gardening" is a practical guide to growing your own fruit and vegetables organically. Aimed at those who have not had an allotment before, or are new to growing their own, it is packed with advice - from choosing and planning your allotment through to harvesting and storing your produce. In Part One, Susan Berger discusses the basics, from tools, planning and clearing the site, to soil, crop rotation, planting and protecting plants. She also looks at design, growing techniques - from feeding and mulching to saving seed and supporting plants - and how to prevent and cope with common problems. A gardener's calendar, with detailed activities for each month, completes the section. Part Two gives detailed instructions on the cultivation of individual fruit, vegetables, flowers and herbs, along with recommendations for particular varieties, chosen for their flavour. Ideas for companion planting, and tips on storage and use of herbs are also included. Each fruit and vegetable entry features an easy recipe to help you make the most of your fresh produce: simple soups from pea to pumpkin, unusual ways of serving vegetables, from Frizzled Brussel Sprouts to Roasted Beetroot with Thyme; more exotic dishes, from Sauteed Kohl Rabi to an earthy Ribollita; and easy recipes for puddings and jams. Illustrated with line drawings and over 30 full colour photographs, "Allotment Gardening" also includes a directory of organic seed suppliers and useful organizations.

ISBN: 9781903998540

Allotment gardening is becoming increasingly popular as more and more people discover that growing their own organic vegetables, fruit and herbs is an attractive and achievable option. Gardening also has additional benefits: it is an excellent way to take exercise and can be very therapeutic. The Allotment Handbook is full of practical information and tips on every aspect of growing produce on an allotment. Beginning with the basics, there is information on finding a plot, preparing the soil, dealing with weeds, crop rotation and planting the beds. A chapter on gardening techniques covers propagation, protecting your plants, pruning and harvesting. A useful month-by-month section provides at-a-glance information on key tasks and gives pointers and tips to help keep the allotment productive all year round. Comprehensive directories of vegetables, fruit and herbs include information on sowing, varieties and pest and disease control. The book also includes useful information on allotments and the law, with resources and addresses for gardeners. With reliable, practical information and an easy-to-use format, this is the perfect companion for every existing or prospective allotment owner

isbn: 9781843305835

This beautifully illustrated follow-up to Andi Clevely's bestseller, The Allotment Book, celebrates the joys of both growing and cooking your own produce. Perfect for the complete beginner or the experienced allotmenteer, The Allotment Book: Seasonal Planner and Cookbook will ensure your crops thrive and your table is laden all year round. Allotment gardening is in the grip of a renaissance, with over 300,000 allotments in the UK and a new breed of allotment enthusiast, whose typical characteristic is that they are not typical. With more young professionals on allotments than ever before, as well families and even groups of friends embracing the vibrancy of allotment culture, people are mucking in to cultivate their own crops. This is the perfect book for those with a passion for the outdoors and a taste for food warm from the sun. Andi Clevely helps you to assess your plot and decide what to grow. Once your plot is up and running, he guides you through the year season by season, reminding you of essential tasks, preparing you for extreme weather, and teaching techniques such as composting and crop rotation.Each section celebrates a particular crop and offers plenty of opportunity for using your produce with tempting recipes as well as ideas for storing and preserving.
Contents Include: / Essential growing tips and techniques / Checklists of key tasks and timings -- when to sow, plant, and harvest / Crop focus -- exploring the tendencies and benefits of particular varieties / Eco-friendly suggestions for pest control and disease management. / Ergonomics and safety advice / Tales of successful allotmenteers and allotment culture / Over 100 beautifully photographed seasonal recipes for all occasions

ISBN: 9780007263479

Allotment gardening is becoming increasingly popular as people discover that growing their own organic vegetables, fruits and herbs is an attractive and achievable option. Allotment gardening also has additional benefits: it's an excellent way to take exercise and be sociable, and it can be therapeutic. "The Allotment Specialist" is crammed with practical information on every aspect of growing produce on an allotment. Beginning with the basics, it includes tips on choosing a plot, preparing the soil, crop rotation, planting the beds, and weed and pest control. Year-round calendars provide at-a-glance information on key tasks and give pointers on keeping allotments productive all year round. Comprehensive, A-Z directories of vegetables and fruits guide readers through the most popular varieties, their soil and site needs, and the best times and methods for sowing, planting and harvesting. With reliable, practical information and an easy-to-use format, this is the perfect companion for every current or prospective allotment owner.

ISBN: 9781845374822

It's no shock that the beekeeping trend is steadily on the rise. These fascinating and beautiful insects can be kept anywhere, whether your garden is a large country plot or an urban rooftop terrace. What's more, there's no sting in this tale: bees are a source of delight for honey lovers, hay-fever sufferers and gardeners alike. This charming and practical guide is intended for both the beginner and experienced beekeeper. It covers everything from setting up hives and maximising bees in the garden, to optimum honey production and a fascinating troubleshooting section. Illustrated throughout with stunning photography, you will find all you need to catch the bee buzz.

ISBN: 9781843404187

With stories and anecdotes, this title offers information on choosing breeds of poultry for your garden.

ISBN: 9781899470327

Whether you dream of building a holiday home or a multigabled manor, here's how to do it yourself, in the most comprehensive guide ever written on constructing log homes. From buying land and drawing floor plans to choosing log styles and joinery, the experts at Popular Science cover every phase of construction in more than 840 exceptional photos and drawings, plus comprehensive how-to instructions. Go through all the planning and preliminaries and take a house tour to see different shapes, sizes, and styles. There's information on choosing and purchasing a site; advice on water, solar exposure, potential hazards, and legal issues; and a discussion of tools and labour. The entire building process unfolds from foundation to house raising to finish work: first logs, walls, second stories, roofing, doors and windows, finishing the interior, decks, porches, balconies, cabinet work, wiring, lighting, and plumbing. And for those who want to start with a kit, there are several sections focusing specifically on that.

isbn: 9780806974866

The ancient method of cob building uses a simple mixture of clay sub-soil, aggregate, straw and water to create solid structural walls built without shuttering or forms, onto a stone plinth. It is now undergoing a renaissance as an 'eco-friendly' building material because of its amazing 'green' credentials. 'Building with Cob' shows how to apply this ancient technique in a wide variety of contemporary situations, covering everything from design and siting, mixing, building walls, fireplaces, ovens and floors, lime and other natural finishes, and gaining planning permission and building regulation approval. It also explains in detail how to sensitively restore an old cob structure. This book is a step-by-step guide, lavishly illustrated with over 300 colour photos and 85 diagrams.

isbn: 9781903998724

One in a series of guides, each arranged so that all the similar-looking species are illustrated together, with tips on how to tell them apart. Added information on behaviour or habitat reinforce the identification points to ensure the user is on the right track to full identification. This book describes all the edible species of mushrooms and the species they may be confused with. The danger that the mushroom might actually be false chanterelle rather than a true chanterelle is covered in full, with tips on how to tell the two species apart.

ISBN: 9780002199841

This is the perfect companion guide for every budding forager. Exquisitely illustrated with full-colour paintings of all the plants and herbs in the book, ranging from dandelion and sorrel to sea beet and samphire, "Edible Wild Plants and Herbs" is both a cookbook and field guide to the identification and use of foodstuffs from the wild. There are almost 400 recipes covering nearly 100 different plant varieties and the illustrations, drawn from life by one of the country's leading botanical artists, show the edible parts of the plants at their peak time for picking. In addition, there is a calendar indicating what plants to look for at each season of the year, information on where the plants are found and how to identify them. In the past, the home kitchen provided a family with all its medicines and cosmetics as well as its food, wine, pickles and preserves. Our ancestors were resourceful and imaginative and very much in tune with nature; this book recaptures their harmonious, sustainable way of life by setting down for the modern reader all that knowledge and lore. There are recipes for soups, sauces, main dishes, salads, pickles, jams, sorbets, as well as teas, syrups and lotions.

ISBN: 9781904943730

This long established guide to first aid in the wild when you depend entirely on your own knowledge and resources now joins the Cicerone stable. It is written by doctors with major outdoor experience. This guide to first aid sets out clearly the protocols and procedures to follow. It talks about: preparation of first aid kits, and good preventative practice; dealing with life-threatening emergencies; specific injuries, such as head injuries, burns, broken bones, sprains; and problems associated with location, such as cold or hot weather, altitude, dehydration, food poisoning and digestive disorders, infectious diseases, bites and stings, rashes and respiratory problems. All topics are clearly referenced, and easy to refer to. It is an invaluable point of reference for all who travel and take part in outdoor, wilderness and mountain activities.

ISBN: 9781852845001

Fans of Food for Free will be delighted at this new format -- ideal for carrying in a rucksack. Over 100 edible plants are featured together with recipes and other interesting culinary information. With details on how to pick, when to pick and regulations on picking. This new format of a best-selling title provides a portable guide for all those who enjoy what the countryside has to offer. Over 100 plants are listed, fully illustrated and described, together with recipes and other fascinating information about their use throughout the ages. The recipes are listed so that you can plan your foray with a feast in mind. This is the ideal book for both nature-lovers and cooks. Particularly with today's emphasis on the freshest and most natural of foods. There is also practical advice on how to pick plus the countryside laws and regulations on picking wild plants.

ISBN: 9780007183036

Food for Free by Richard Mabey was first published in 1972, since then it has been reprinted 11 times. An all-colour, revised version produced in 1989 has sold over 30,000 copies in the trade. A guide to over 300 types of food that can be gathered in the wild in Britain, Food for Free explores the history and folklore of the foods as well as explaining how we identify them and the best ways to cook and eat them. The new edition will bring the subject right up to date. Organized by season rather than food type Food for Free will take us through the year. Richard Mabey's fully-revised text will be accompanied by stunning photographs, new recipes and a wealth of practical information on collecting, cooking and preparing. Beautifully illustrated, beautifully written and produced in a new, larger format Food for Free is designed to inspire us to take more notice of what is around us, how we can make use of it and how we can conserve it for future generations.

ISBN: 9780002201599

A complete guide to help you safely identify edible species that grow around us, together with detailed artworks, field identification notes and recipes. First published in 1972, this updated edition of Richard Mabey's cult bestseller has been revised to reflect the ever-increasing eco-awareness and popular interest in finding different, and more natural, sources of food. Each of the 240 types of fruit, nut, flower, seaweed, fungi and shellfish featured has its own identification field notes and artwork. Understand and learn about the fascinating edible species that you may come across and, with the help of the numerous recipes also included, find out the best way to pick and enjoy them. Beautifully illustrated and written, 'Food for Free' will inspire you to take more notice of the natural harvest that surrounds us, learn how to make use of it and conserve it for future generations.

If you want to help conserve natural resources, leave a better planet for future generations and give your family a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle, it’s time to take steps towards A Greener Life. In this new book, Clarissa and Johnny have produced a comprehensive beginner’s guide to becoming more self-sufficient in your everyday life – no matter where you live. Here is everything you need to know to play your part in the green revolution, from growing food to keeping chickens; from natural remedies to alternative energies. Every subject is explored with techniques, practical advice and colour photography so that you can take sustainable living as far as you want to, from small changes in everyday habits… to keeping a household cow! Clarissa and Johnny are passionate countryside campaigners and their experience and wit make this a fascinating, as well as practical, guide to the good life.


ISBN 978185626534

Chickens are back in style with a vengeance: poultry breeders are struggling to cope with the increase in demand and gardens resound to the contented cluck of chickens. This trend can be in part explained by the huge demand for organic and locally produced food; after all, what could be more natural than keeping your own chickens and collecting their eggs? This beautiful and practical guide advises on all aspects of chicken keeping, from advice on the full range of breeds available, choosing and buying the right chickens for you, to feeding and naming them and finally housing and caring for them. Illustrated throughout with stunning photography, you will find all you need to start and maintain your own chicken run.

ISBN: 9781843403586

This book is about keeping hens for pleasure in your garden, about their suitability as pets and the joy of having fresh free-range eggs. The author has kept bantams in her garden for many years and this book is based on personal experiences. The book includes chapters on housing, feeding, egg laying, hatching chicks plus information on breeds and common ailments. The second half of the book contains egg recipes with helpful ideas for surplus eggs and left over yolks or whites. Savoury and sweet recipes include tarts, souffles, mousses, cakes, Swiss rolls, Ice creams, roulades and meringues. The book is illustrated with black and white drawings and with an 8 page colour section.

ISBN: 9781899470235

A fascinating guide to homemade shelter presents images and ideas culled from across the globe, including bottle homes in the Nevada desert, tree houses on the South China Sea, Japanese stilt houses, and much, much more. Original.

ISBN: 9780936070339

ISBN: 9780905652160

Allotment gardening now has an established following, proving that there are still large numbers of people who want to grow their own organic fruit and vegetables. One of the most important aspects of gardening on an allotment is working out what to put where, and this needs to be considered right from the start. "How to Plant Your Allotment" is an essential reference guide for any budding allotmenteer and is packed with information on getting the best from your plot, including charts, plant lists, diagrams and planting plans. Chapter One covers the history and background of allotments and will help you choose a site. Chapter Two is about assessing the main considerations such as aspect, wind, slope, soil and weeds and gives useful guidance on improving your situation, from creating windbreaks to composting your soil and explains how to make an allotment plan, with useful checklists and tips to help you decide what is best for you. Chapter Three gives useful guidance on what plants grow best where, covering fruit, herbs, flowers and green manures, as well as vegetables. Chapter Four is about using clever tricks to maximize your space, from companion planting to intercropping. Chapter Five includes 16 full-colour allotment plans, including a plan for a family of four, a gourmet vegetable plot and an exotic vegetable plot. Finally, Chapter Six provides a glossary of gardening techniques, from sowing seed to protecting your crops. Packed full of information and with useful tips throughout, this book is essential reading for every allotment gardener.

ISBN: 9781845376161

Make the break, realize the dream and start living "the good life". Packed with comprehensive information on all the practical details, from ploughing fields to milking cows, as well as information on how to create an urban organic garden and harness natural energy, this second edition aims to be a useful handbook for realists and dreamers alike.

ISBN: 9780751364422

The complete illustrated guide to planning, growing, storing and preserving your own garden produce from 'the grand master of self-sufficiency' ("Kitchen Garden"), John Seymour John Seymour's classic guide gives you the knowledge and expertise to create your own self-sufficient garden and produce what you need. Whatever the size of your space, discover how to garden organically and maximise your harvest, without the need for radical changes to your lifestyle. From cultivating vegetables to making cider, keeping chickens to training vines, you'll garden in tune with the seasons, growing for the year, eating for today and storing for tomorrow. No specialist knowledge required: just clearly explained principles and practicalities ideal for any gardener.

ISBN: 9781405321334

Are you an organic farmer? Do you want to be? For those of us who want to eat better quality food, here is the chance with this easy-to-read, thorough, informative book. In a world where we are increasingly conscious of what we eat, this is the book every organic farmer needs to have, whether professional, allotment, or garden grower. Answering basic questions - How do you begin? Is fertilizer allowed, and if so, what sort? What is natural pest management, and how does it work? - there is everything you need to know in these pages from getting started to marketing your produce, be it fruit, vegetable, or animal. A list of resources points the way to helpful websites, books, and organisations focusing on every aspect of organic farming.

ISBN: 9780760324691

The only way to be sure of the quality of fruit and vegetables is to grow it personally and allotments provide a perfect opportunity for producing organically-grown fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers. The increasing popularity of allotments is testament to a growing consumer awareness of how chemically enhanced produce in our diet adversely affects our health and well-being. This book offers practical information and tips on all aspects of allotment gardening. Beginning with the basics, the book gives advice on planning and laying out a new plot, improving the soil and sowing from seed. A comprehensive directory of vegetables, herbs and fruit gives useful information on which varieties to plant and their cultivation, while a chapter on pests and diseases gives advice on protecting plants without using chemicals. Interspersed throughout are practical projects and tips for the allotment gardener.

ISBN: 9781845172527

Moira and Nicholas Hankinson are masters of fashioning the coveted from the cast-off, and "Recycle!" is their invaluable compendium of over 60 practical projects for the home and garden. Whether your motives are those of environmental conservation, or just desperation to avoid another fruitless weekend at the garden centre only to emerge with a set of pine furniture identical to the one you bought three years ago, "Recycle!" is full of examples of ersatz style which all of us can achieve. Divided into chapters which include Bedrooms, Bathrooms and Boudoirs, Decorative Accessories and even The Themed Garden, these celebrated designers give concise instructions on how to create each design, from the modest transformation of a shutter into a CD rack to the sizeable excavations of railway sleeper steps. Their helpful advice helps you through each project with clear step-by-steps and photography to guide you as well as a list of all the equipment and resources you will need. More than a practical design manual, "Recycle!" offers readers a whole new perception of everyday objects around us.

isbn: 9781856266819

As consumers become ever eco-conscious, many people nurture a dream of living a 'self-sufficient' lifestyle. "The Self-Sufficiency Handbook" provides an introduction to the possibilities and methods involved in setting up the different aspects of a greener way of living. Authors Alan and Gill Bridgewater recently moved to a smallholding, so they are well-positioned to answer all the fundamental questions that anyone considering a similar lifestyle shift might ask. Subjects covered in the book include: the self-sufficient house, the organic food garden, animal husbandry and the pantry. The book runs the full ecological gamut, from geothermal heating through to crop rotation and making your own soap. It emphasises the positive aspects of adapting to a self-sufficient lifestyle, such as cutting living costs and eating well, and the sheer fun of rolling your sleeves up to get things going. Packed with informative illustrations and diagrams, and a wealth of useful advice, "The Self-Sufficiency Handbook" is the perfect guide for the increasing number of people who are keen to join the green revolution.

ISBN: 9781845376932

With frequent warnings about water and energy shortages, and the potential dangers of pesticides and genetically modified foods, many people nurture a dream of living a 'self-sufficient' lifestyle.With these people in mind, this comprehensive yet easy-to-read book examines what it truly takes to live off the fat of the land. Authors Alan and Gill Bridgewater, who themselves recently moved to a smallholding, answer all the fundamental questions that anyone considering a similar lifestyle shift might ask; from the best way to warm your home off the grid to the time and effort that go into growing your own food and raising your own animals. The book even goes so far as to describe quirkier aspects of the lifestyle, with detailed descriptions of how to make soap and candles. Both the most fulfilling aspects and the hard graft of self-sufficient living are revealed in full.Packed with informative illustrations and diagrams, and a wealth of useful advice, "The Self-Sufficiency Specialist" is the perfect guide for prospective 21st-century smallholders.

ISBN: 9781845379254

Allotments are fashionable again. With a different food scare popping up in the press almost every week, people are taking control of what they eat and deciding to grow their own organic fruit and vegetables - and what better place to do this than the allotment? Allotments now attract people of all ages and backgrounds - all of whom want to grow their own delicious and nutritious produce at virtually no cost at all. And despite many people's preconceptions, it isn't difficult to do. With a bit of pre-planning and preparation, you can be harvesting your own crops within a few months of starting out, and eating the fruits of your labour from late spring to autumn. This book contains all the practical information you'll need - from preparing the plot and dealing with weeds, to planting out and rotating your crops. There is detailed advice on the fantastic range of vegetables, fruit and herbs you might like to grow, as well as how to protect your plants, pruning and harvesting. A handy seasonal checklist provides instant advice on key tasks for each month and tips for year-round productivity. Accessible text, inspiring photography and helpful planting plans make "The Allotment Book" a must for anyone wanting to get the most out of their plot.

ISBN: 9781844035601

Allotments have always been popular in the UK but recently their popularity has increased throughout the world. "Your Organic Allotment" will teach you everything you need to know to create a modern allotment and provide organic food for your family all year round. You will be guided through the decision to take an allotment, shown how to prepare and protect it and discover how to grow all kinds of vegetables, herbs and fruits. You will also learn about crop rotations, how to tackle pests and problems and when to harvest. "Your Organic Allotment" is the indispensable guide for anyone who wants to grow their own delicious, chemical-free food.

ISBN: 9781856752787