Cleve West is one of Britain's top garden designers. He is also a true allotmenteer, heading off to his plot whenever he can to get his hands dirty, find peace and contemplate life and nature. His book is a joy to read, humorous and humble, full of practical commonsense, and a belief in the values of community and sustainable living.
There is plenty of advice here for plot holders - often of the what-not-to-do sort and written from sorry experience - and plenty of inspiration too in the creative ways that Cleve and his partner Christine make the most of their plot and enjoy the company of their fellow allotmenteers. There are easy to follow sections on vegetables and herbs, flowers and fruit, with recipes and troubleshooting tips as well as chapters on community, creativity and children. "Our Plot" is amply illustrated with Cleve's own photographs, drawings by Cleve and Christine, and shots of the two of them at work taken by Cleve's cousin, the garden photographer Derek St Romaine.