The best books on allotment gardening are a wonderful instant reference guide or gift idea for a garden-loving loved one. With the cost of living so high, cultivating a plot on an allotment is an ideal source of organic fruit and veg. Whether you are a budding newbie or a seasoned gardener, there's a wonderful range of books on allotment gardening to help you create the perfect plot.
There's a wide range of top-rated gardening books out there - from practical how-to guides to allotment community and sustainability-focused books - so there's bound to be a book that's right for you. We've included allotment planners and cookbooks in our list to help you get growing and reap the fruits of your labour and make great allotment gifts.
Best books on allotment gardening at a glance:
Best for intermediate gardeners: RHS Allotment Handbook and Planner - View now on Amazon UK
Best for beginners: Alan Titchmarsh How to Garden: Allotment Gardening - View now on Amazon UK
Best for expert advice: Allotment Month by Month: How to Grow Your Own Fruit and Veg - View on Amazon UK
We mainly refer to the hardcover and paperback editions, however many of these books are available in Kindle and digital download formats, which you may prefer.
Best books on allotment gardening
Best book on allotments for intermediate gardeners
This is a comprehensive book that has chapters based on the fruits and vegetables you would be most likely to grow. It even has a chapter on keeping livestock. There's a useful fold-out month-by-month planner so you can track the tasks that need doing. It's an informative and enjoyable book that aims to teach and inspire. The layout is clear and wonderfully illustrated with photographs.
Author: Simon Akeroyd for Royal Horticultural Society
Edition: Paperback (also available in hardcover and Kindle)
Customer review: "An amazing handbook for the allotment holder or gardener, it is packed with all you need to know and do throughout the year, complete with handy 'wish I'd known' tips for both the amateur and professional gardener alike. Well worth purchasing and a must have book for great results come harvest time."
Pros
- Month-by-month planner and tried and tested advice
Cons
- Some reviews have commented on the Kindle edition being slow-loading and difficult to read
Best book on allotment gardening for beginners
You're in expert hands with Alan Titchmarsh, a beloved TV personality, and twice named Gardening Writer of the Year.
The emphasis of this book is to give practical information about creating, planting and harvesting your allotment. As you would expect from a BBC publication the easy-to-follow content is illustrated with glossy photographs. Chapters are divided into getting an allotment and planning your plot, planting and growing, and an A-Z of vegetables.
Author: Alan Titchmarsh
Edition: Paperback (Kindle edition available)
Customer review: "This book is full of tips and tricks for the allotment beginner, really helpful and clearly written."
Pros
- Easy-to-follow practical advice from the king of gardening
- Best for beginners
Cons
- Published in 2012, this makes it feel slightly dated
Best allotment gardening book for expert advice
This book is broken down into sections, starting with allotment know-how that's all about organising your plot and what to plant. An allotment calendar section takes you through tasks and tips month-by-month. The crop planner section is a comprehensive guide to cultivating all major vegetables, fruits and herbs. Finally, a troubleshooter section looks at common plant diseases, pests and parasites. There are plenty of photos and clear information, as you'd expect from a DK publication.
Author: Alan Buckingham
Edition: Hardcover
Customer review: "This is a great book. Easy to navigate and monthly step-by-step straightforward advice. I've had an allotment for three years and have a multitude of reference books. This is by far the best and is the one I now go to if want to check what I should be doing, when and how."
Pros
- Informative
- Comprehensive and easy to follow
- Practical guide
Cons
- Some reviews commented that they'd like it available in a digital edition
Best allotment gardening book for reference
The most encyclopaedic book in our guide, there's no allotment gardening question this For Dummies book leaves unanswered. It's a brilliant reference book and very much a practical guide. So, if you want to know what to do and when on your plot, this book covers everything.
Author: Sven Wombwell
Edition: Paperback (also available in Kindle and digital download)
Customer review: "This is not a shiny paper book. It lacks pictures and may not wear well kicking around in an unkempt garden shed. The book is, however, what it says it is. Whilst embracing expert knowledge, clever dodges and tasty cooking ideas it issues sound advice for the first-time gardener and for the complete management of a fruit and veg allotment."
Pros
- Huge amounts of useful information written in an entertaining way
- Comprehensive for all levels
Cons
- There are no photos, is from 2010
Best book on allotment gardening for productivity
Written by Lia Leendertz, this RHS title proposes that productivity is best achieved by working in half-an-hour slots. There are ten time-saving chapters that cover taking on your plot, what to grow and managing it in its first year. The text is clear and illustrated with glossy photographs. Also, there are handy tips in boxed-out lists, so it's a very accessible book for beginners - blooming lovely.
Author: Lia Leendertz
Edition: Flexibound (also available in hardcover and Kindle formats)
Customer review: "As others have said, there are better beginner books out there if you're looking for how-to guides for core skills, but this brings a refreshing angle and doesn't toe the usual allotment advice of doing everything from seed. It's much more practical for people who have a lot of non-gardening commitments."
Pros
- Layout is clear
- Text is easy to follow
Cons
- Some reviews have commented that it's not an in-depth gardening book
Best easy-to-follow allotment gardening book
This wonderfully designed and illustrated allotment handbook is synonymous with DK's visual approach. Information is broken down into easy-to-follow steps and is aimed at new allotment owners. Simon Akeroyd is an experienced gardening author, who keeps the text succinct and delivered in manageable bite-size sections.
Author: Simon Akeroyd
Edition: Hardcover
Customer review: "Classic DK publication with clear, concise articles to give you ideas about where to start, varieties to grow, troubleshooting guide and illustrations on how to do things."
Pros
- Visual book
- Easy-to-follow steps
- Beautifully designed
Cons
- Experienced gardeners may not get much new information from this book
Best small book on allotment gardening
A pocket-size book of tips and techniques for both allotment beginners and experienced gardeners. The book has a vintage feel to it with an old-fashioned typeset, yet it's packed with useful and up-to-date information. Do be aware it's more of a factual guide than a photographic or illustrative one.
Author: Emma Cooper
Edition: Hardcover (also available in Kindle format)
Customer review: "What a brilliant little book; no wasted words, beautifully laid out and very informative. An excellent investment for beginner or experienced person alike."
Pros
- Packed with clear imagery
- Contemporary information
Cons
- Does not have photography or much in the way of illustrations
Best allotment gardening book for planning
For enjoying your earthy pleasures, this planner is beautifully illustrated and makes the ideal gift for keen gardeners. It is very much a book to record your crops and harvest - not a guide - though it does have some tips and inspiring gardening quotes. Featuring whimsical illustrations and daily prompts, it's the ideal way to record how your garden grows.
Author: Roberta Wood
Edition: Paperback
Customer review: "Brought as a present, ideal gift for the allotment."
Pros
- A lovely way to record what's happening in your allotment plot
- Good for planning your garden
Cons
- It's not a how-to guide
Best allotment gardening cookbook
This recipe book is written in an engaging and easy-to-follow style. It has a wonderful vintage design with lovely line illustrations. Pete Lawrence's book is divided up into seasons with what to sow and harvest at that time of year. The recipes are based around individual vegetables, fruits and herbs - with everything from comforting Asparagus risotto to imaginative Christmas burgers with bubble and squeak patties.
Author: Pete Lawrence
Edition: Hardcover (also available in Kindle format)
Customer review: "Love that the recipes reflect seasonal products to grow on the allotment and recipes have a modern twist! Really liked it. A great idea for someone who loves growing your own and cooking."
Pros
- Appetising recipes that make your produce the showstopper of any meal
- Best recipe book for newer gardeners
Cons
- Recipes are simple for experts
Best allotment gardening book in a series
Written by a passionate allotmenteer, this is volume one in a series that focuses on starting out and growing fruit and vegetables on your plot. The book is written by an expert, who has authored several gardening books. The density of the text and some of the more advanced topics covered may alienate absolute newcomers. But if you enjoy Jones' authorial voice, then this book may be a gateway to the rest of his allotment series.
Author: Jason Johns
Edition: Hardcover (also available in Paperback and Kindle)
Customer review: "Why are the contents of this book in black and white?? So many photos and all black and white …. It doesn’t help when trying to decipher the month-by-month guide to planting when everything is the same colour."
Pros
- Advice from an experienced allotmenteer and gardening author
Cons
- Text is a dense, black-and-white print
FAQS
What can I grow in my allotment for beginners?
As a newcomer to allotment gardening, you may want to start by growing some easy vegetables that will give you a great yield with the least effort. Vegetables such as potatoes, salad leaves and spring onions are fantastic for beginners. The RHS has created a video that's a great starting point for budding gardeners.
Tips for a new allotment plot
• Spend some time observing and assessing the area, don’t rush in too soon. Think about the plot's aspect, where it gets sun and shade and what sort of weeds you need to deal with.
• Plots don’t have to be clean and organised in a traditional fashion. Perhaps you might like a fruit garden or cottage style with lots of flowers or you may also want to include a pond.
• Think about what you want from it. Do you want to relax and potter in, or do you want the plot to be truly productive? Where are you going to sit? Where will the compost bin and path go?
• Spend winter deciding which foods you could grow instead of buying them. If you want to save money, grow crops that are expensive in the shops, such as rocket and sweetcorn.
Source: Garden News January 2020
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Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, specialising in garden trends. When she's not flexing her mow-how, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.