Page 35 - ALG Issue 2 2025

BOOK REVIEWS
Grow It!
by Ruth Binney
Grow It! by Ruth Binney is a practical, commonsense guide to
allotment gardening. Offering advice on how to plan, tend and
enjoy a successful plot year after year, this book is filled with
expert tips, valuable insights, and practical solutions to common
allotment challenges. It is an indispensable resource for both
beginners and seasoned allotment gardeners.
Key topics covered include:
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The best methods for making compost and the role of worms in improving soil health
•
Why raised beds are particularly effective for growing crops like carrots
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The importance of crop rotation for maintaining soil health
•
Tips for planting vegetables in blocks instead of rows for better results
•
Strategies for dealing with pests like slugs and pigeons
•
How to avoid an overabundance of courgettes and creative ways to use them in the
kitchen
•
Recommendations for the best fruit and vegetables to turn into jams and chutneys
The Allotment Choices section offers ideas for growing everything from classics to exciting
varieties like black tomatoes and purple kale. Packed with practical advice, Grow It! helps
gardeners of all levels cultivate a thriving plot. Author Ruth Binney, with a background
in Natural Sciences from Cambridge and years of allotment experience, blends expert
knowledge with a passion for gardening.
How to Grow a Garden
by Frances Tophill and
Charlotte Ager
Frances Tophill, a well-known British
horticulturist from Gardeners’ World
and Love Your Garden, teams up with
freelance illustrator Charlotte Ager
to create this beautifully illustrated
guide to gardening. How to Grow
a Garden: Find a Plant for Every
Place is a perfect introduction for
young gardeners and anyone eager
to explore the diversity of plant life.
From vegetable gardens to wildflower
meadows and tropical escapes, this
book showcases how different plants
thrive in various environments.
Each chapter ends with engaging
activities, encouraging readers to
get their hands dirty by planting,
harvesting, and caring for their own
greenery.
With a strong emphasis on
integrating wildlife into garden spaces,
this book serves as a wonderful
introduction to nurturing both plants
and nature. Tophill’s approachable style
makes gardening feel accessible, and
the vibrant illustrations by Ager inspire
readers to embrace the beauty and
joy of growing their own gardens.
The book's focus on integrating
wildlife into garden spaces highlights
the importance of biodiversity, and it
encourages readers to create spaces
that are not just beautiful but beneficial
for the environment. Whether you're
looking to start your first vegetable
patch, cultivate a wildflower haven, or
add a splash of tropical colour to your
outdoor space, this book provides the
tools, inspiration, and encouragement
to get started.
My Family and Other Seedlings
by Lalage Snow
In My Family and Other Seedlings, Lalage Snow swaps war
zones for wellies, trading a career as a war photographer
and foreign correspondent for the quiet chaos of rural life in
Dorset. With little gardening experience but a determination to
grow both an allotment and a family, she embarks on a journey
filled with trials, triumphs, and tender reflections.
This beautifully written memoir is as much about parenting as
it is about planting, balancing wry humour with poignant insights
into the transition from high-adrenaline journalism to the slower rhythms of domesticity.
Snow’s acute eye and lightness of touch make this an engrossing read, seamlessly
weaving historical titbits about allotments with her own experiences of nurturing
seedlings and small children alike.
Heartfelt, honest, and often funny, My Family and Other Seedlings is a celebration of
resilience, growth, and the unexpected joys of digging into both soil and family life.
Grow Your Own Food – Lady Muck Style
by Catherine Saunders
A Delightful Read for Gardeners and Grow-Your-Own Enthusiasts
This wonderfully witty and beautifully illustrated book is a perfect
companion for allotment holders and food lovers alike.
In this laugh-out-loud collection of light-hearted gardening
tales—originally published as magazine articles—Catherine, known
as Lady Muck, takes readers on a delightful journey through the
joys and mishaps of growing your own food. Packed with amusing
anecdotes, endearing characters, and practical tips, this book will
inspire beginners while reminding seasoned gardeners why they fell in love with their plots in
the first place. A must-read for anyone who enjoys gardening, humour, and the satisfaction
of homegrown produce!
These five books provide valuable lessons and inspiration for anyone looking to
cultivate a thriving green space. There’s something for every gardener in these pages.
Happy gardening!
Allotment and Leisure Gardener | Issue 2 2025 | 35