Allotted Time: Twelve Months, Two Blokes, One Shed, No Idea

by Robin Shelton

Robin Shelton and his mate were complete neophytes when they decided that having an allotment might save them some money. It would also, very importantly, give them the opportunity to build a shed! But what had seemed like a good idea over a few beers seemed rather more daunting when faced with a weedy patch of ground.

Genres: Gardening, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Biography

334 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2006

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.
An unemployed, divorced dad of two, newly moved into a neighbourhood, needs to borrow a vacuum cleaner. He wanders down the road and finds a likely looking house and upon knocking the door meets a guy who becomes a really good mate. One alcohol fuelled evening they decide they'll get an allotment, despite the fact that neither of them knows one end of a spade from the other and has never gardened before.
Over the course of twelve months we follow the exploits of these two (well mainly one of them as the other pops in and out as his job allows) as they learn as they go, on a very small budget.
It is a bit blokey at times with stories of "Man Making Shelter" by building their own shed out of various scrap wood such as old bunk beds and a dismantled cricket pavilion. And also sniggering about erections (of the shed and a dilapidated greenhouse) and how they would like their carrots to be just like Dick's (a nearby plot neighbour who grows fantastic carrots).
But overall a heartwarming story where the author discovers the plot is more than just digging and growing stuff and is good for his mental health (he is a manic depressive) and his relationship with his two boys.
There are successes and failures along the way but it is written in an easy to read friendly style which I whizzed through in a couple of days. I think any gardener (and especially allotment plot holder) would enjoy this and recognise situations and characters from their own experiences.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This humorous book made a quick, light read and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to veggie list at the end. Robin Shelton makes a concerted effort to garden for real with his buddy Steve and occasionally his two young sons. His rye comments make light of a serious dedication to reviving their neglected plot and digging in with more or less enthusiasm in what is ultimately a healing and productive journey. As an urban gardener myself, I found the trials and tribulations irreverent and immensely entertaining. This is a story of dirt and beer and scrounged building materials. It is the opposite of the "House Beautiful", perfect picture magazine worthy version of vegetable gardening. But they do indeed grow and harvest both a good life and good food. A thrifty and balanced approach and a witness to the joy to be found in honest effort and 'good enough' judgement. Connects the lost urban tradition of working a bit of land firmly with building and maintaining mental health.

[Gemma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love growing veg and I enjoy reading about other people doing the same. Unfortunately, this book was very slow going.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book for affirmation purposes and it lived up to it ! I especially like how working an allotment helped the authors mental health ! It's a bit of a rambling dialogue at times but at the same time is shot through with his enthusiasm for the project ! Also picked up a tip or two and some new references ! Very good !

[Sharon Bidwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a laugh out loud read but still pleasantly humorous memoir/diary of two hapless gardeners who still made something grow. The only thing the book lacks is photos of the shed and the greenhouse which I would have loved to see.

[Alistair Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. Two blokes and an allotment what could go wrong?

[Lorraine Wigmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have recently got myself an allotment and found this book very relatable. The highs and the lows of hard work and the great rewards you achieve. It was an easy read, and I loved it.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Favourite quote :

'Difficult as it may be to believe, Gerrard Winstanley and the Diggers was not a one-hit Yorkshire beat combo from 1964, but were, in fact, a band of fearless renegades who set up an agricultural colony on someone else's land in Surrey in 1649.'

An odd mix of extensive vocabulary, occasional swearing, crude jokes, overly flowery description and puns galore.

It is an easy read, mildly amusing, and certainly I finish it feeling happy that Mr Shelton has found his work on the allotment to have crossovers into his life as a whole becoming more successful (though a bit more detail on that process and how it worked would have been really interesting.)

For me the glimpses of his sons enjoying the allotment and time with their dad and each other on it were the best bits - maybe they were the closest to the author's heart and brought out his best writing as well.

[Joel BP · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides a jocose insight into the journey of amateur gardening and how this deferential task can evolve ones mindset from humble beginnings to flourishing heights.

An easy read that doesnt require vast amounts of stamina to get through. What this book lacks in complexity it makes up for in character and stands as a testament that gardening doesn't need to be complicated to yield healthy results.

Shelton's navigation of the various absurdities gardening and it's community brings, allows the reader to appreciate the 'give it a go' imperfectionist approach, delivering a convincing argument to commence the journey yourself.

The veg fact sheet, brief timeline of allotment history, and suggested further reading are an appreciated final touch which provide a good foundation to those willing to brave the trowel.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this during autumn so it was great to have the book take me out into the open air and to the author's allotment. The style of prose was very economical for the most part but there were one or two places (particularly early on in the book) where the author seemed to throw in a few flowery (excuse the pun) phrases just for the sake of it. Other than that, a really good read that shows the power of gardening to keep us all sane!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enduring look at what can happen when two people with no idea of gardening take on an allottment. This was a light, but interesting, read. I found myself half sympathising and half groaning at the main character. Certainly worth a read if you're thinking of taking up edible gardening, if only to help you forsee some of the possible pitfalls.

[Sally McRogerson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gardening is fun and good for your mental health. Should get out there and do some on that premise I guess! Amusingly written even for confirmed non-gardeners...!

[Sally mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this 3 times in total. I love it, honest, witty and, pardon the pun, down to earth. The best of allotment tales yet.

[Charlotte Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

very funny

[Lincoln Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tribute to the restorative powers of gardening on an allotment accompanied by copious, but diminishing quantities of ineptitude. An engaging read highly recommended.

[Jo Floyd]

Diary type book. Read to help re-enthuse me with vigour for our allotment. Author was out of work at time, so had loads of spare time, unlike us! Good, light read with veg tips too.