Allotments

by Jane Eastoe

Published 18 May 2009

An allotment is one of the best - and cheapest ways - of getting hold of valuable gardening space to grow you own. Plus it offers one of the most relaxing atmospheres with the chance to mix with fellow gardeners. Your allotment can provide enough fruit, veg and herbs to feed most small families (and cut flowers to adorn the kitchen table) - produce that will taste and look much better than anything shop bought. Jane Eastoe guides you through allotment life, from how to find an allotment, how to plan one out, what to grow, crop rotation, how to store your harvest plus some of the best recipes so you enjoy the fruits of your labour. Great gardening information is given for each crop - the obvious to the not so obvious - from potatoes and carrots to aubergines and chillies. What to grow when, what to grow where plus a calendar of work for the laziest to the most energetic allotment holder. With all the details on the cost of having an allotment, self-management, and protecting your allotment, this is the easiest guide to getting starting on allotment life. In addition to all the practical gardening techniques, the book has background information on local authority control, self-management options, and how to protect your allotment.


Henkeeping

by Jane Eastoe

Published 14 May 2007

A reissue of Henkeeping (2007). An inspirational and practical guide to keeping chickens in both rural and urban areas.

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. With charming illustrations throughout, you will find all you need to start and maintain your own chicken run.


Herbs

by Jane Eastoe

Published 17 August 2009

A fascinating and practical guide to herbs and their uses Includes delicious recipes and advice on making herbal medicines and cosmetics Packed with practical information on growing your own herbs, plus storing and preserving Herbs have been used for centuries and have myriad uses – this fascinating guide is a wonderful insight into the herbs that can be found growing throughout the British countryside. Information on each plant includes a general description for easy recognition, alongside the culinary, nutritional, cosmetic and medicinal properties of the plant. Delicious recipes are given throughout, while myths, legends and historical tales demonstrate how these versatile plants have been used throughout the ages to treat a range of ailments and flavour a wide variety of dishes. The book is packed with practical advice on how to pick and grow your own herbs, alongside information on propagation, cultivation and warding off pests and diseases from your herb garden.