Our Plot.

Francis Lincoln. 2011. 8vo., original laminated boards with "Best in Show Winner" label on upper board. Illustrated throughout. A fine copy.First edition, inscribed in a secretarial hand "ToSarah Thank you so much for all your hard work Chelsea 2012" and signed by Cleve West.Cleve West is one of Britain's top garden designers, with six RHS gold medals to his name and a high profile Daily Telegraph sponsored garden at Chelsea Flower Show 2011. 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. Amply illustrated with Cleve's own beautiful photographs, fantastical 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, Our Plot is also a visual cornucopia.…