| YOU ARE WHAT YOU GROW
Life, Land and the Pursuit of Happiness
by Antonia Swinson
"Based on her Allotment Tales column for The Scotsman and New Consumer Magazine, Antonia shares, not only her tips for gardening and allotment management, but also the effect of her time spent there. You are What You Grow is her extraordinary original vision of how the world ticks. Her considerations in these articles explore relevant social issues such as the history of British land ownership, organic produce and self-sufficiency, community building and the psychological benefits she has personally found in her beloved allotment." (Luath Press website).
View front and back cover (pdf) or read the publisher's info sheet (pdf).
Latest Reviews:
Country Magazine, Spring Issue
Organic Gardening Magazine, 7 January, 2007
Financial Times, 9 December, 2006. 
www.bokkilden.no (Review from Norway)
shedworking.blogspot.com, 27th November, 2006
www.organiccatalog.com
www.allotment.org.uk
Times Online,
27th November, 2006.
Jane Owen in the "Times Online", 24th November, 2006.
Published October
2006 Luath Press .
 Price
£9.99 paperback - ISBN: 1 905222 64 5
Luath Press Ltd :
543/2 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, EDINBURGH EH1 2ND, Scotland
Telephone:
+44 (0) 131 225 4326
COUNTRY WAY MAGAZINE, Spring issue.
by Simon Martin
To quote the author, ‘This is a book about growing. Not only food, but ourselves.’
The progression of the events and seasons of a year in a recently-acquired allotment provides both framework and foundation for a delightfully readable and beautifully-presented reflection on what contributes to true human happiness. This is neither a rural nor a religious book, but touches on many issues that are significant for denizens of rural communities and countryside churches. On virtually every page there is unearthed a deep spirituality that emerges from, and is enthused by, the liberating experience of owning an allotment, and taking control of a parcel of land and the provision of at least a portion of one’s own sustenance.
It does not, however, simply record a desire to return to some idyllic and mythical past; neither is it a polemic for a strictly organic way of life. Rather it provides a vital and varied connection between the rhythms of activities centred on the allotment and the pushes, pulls and priorities of contemporary life. ‘The allotment’ is far more than a place or a pastime; it is a vibrant community that helps interpret and enliven the larger world; and it extends far beyond the physical confines of one plot of land in Edinburgh – drawing in friends, colleagues, and even numerous contacts on the Web.
With a light and humorous touch, Antonia Swinson weaves her own experiences and concerns – family, land, economics, consumerism, social justice – into the seasons on the allotment. For her, and for us, they truly are all part of a single whole.
ORGANIC GARDENING MAGAZINE, January 2007.
by Gaby Bartai Bevan
This is an unusual, inspirational book. It’s about allotment gardening, but its not just a book of good growing advice (though there’s plenty of that). The first clue is in the subtitle: ‘Life, Land and the Pursuit of Happiness’. Its author is a financial journalist, and the themes of ownership and value run through the book. I’m someone who regards the financial pages as instant compost fodder, so it’s a testament to the power of her writing that these sections held me as spellbound as the bits about compost. Her thesis is simple: allotments are a powerful metaphor for, and a powerful way of getting back in touch with, the things that really matter. “They teach us that the only asset that we do really own, is what we do with time we are allotted, while our season lasts. That’s it. That’s the bottom line. We are what we grow, and we can be as rich as we feel.”
This book grew out of the columns Antonia Swinson wrote about her Edinburgh allotment for New Consumer and then for the Scotsman. Like many books which rework newspaper columns, there are compromises; it’s arranged seasonally, but the individual columns span several years, so the perspective shifts from novice to seasoned gardener and back again. This can be forgiven. A good column is a uniquely satisfying thing, and this book is a wonderful resource to dip into. Antonia Swinson writes lyrically and engagingly, whether she’s discussing Adam Smith or heritage potatoes. Her book will make you rethink your work-life balance and put you back in touch with your inner gardener – while providing some excellent advice on the big issues, like composting, along the way. Treat yourself to a copy.
Christmas Book Review "Pick of the Year".
Financial Times, 9 December, 2006.
Swinson expands her regular newspaper column about her Edinburgh allotment into a full calendar of seasonal meditations. Horticultural tips give way to notes on blogging, charity, grassroots democracy and rubbish TV in this diverting commentary.
Antonia 'Two Sheds' Swinson. by Jane Owen
Article published in the Times Online Webslog,
24th November, 2006
Antonia has been a friend for many years despite the fact that she lives in Scotland and has a more admired décolletage than mine. Now that I’ve declared my interest I can talk about her latest book You Are What You Grow – life land and the pursuit of happiness (Luath Press). It’s a great read (via The Iliad and Desperate Housewives) about allotment life and why gardening is good for you, told through Antonia’s allotment, from her perspective as a business writer.
For instance: “OK so my carrots and parsley flatly refused to germinate, but the onions and squashes did me proud. As we swap these tales there’s no keeping up with the Jones, instead everyone has a fierce interest in each other’s knowledge and a desire for us all to succeed. This leads to genuine creativity which, the management consultants I write about tell me, is ‘innovative synergy’, now sought by all successful companies. Amazing: we manage this without expensive management consultants…”
Co-operation thrives among real gardeners and when the chips are down they’ll always help each other. Even Chelsea rivals. I was once roped in to help save a hopelessly disorganised Chelsea show garden entrant to get finished on time. His rivals donated specimen plants, gave advice and, when they’d finished their own plots, labour.
Can’t see the same camaraderie among rival companies when one of them starts heading for insolvency.
Gardeners' cooperation is confirmed here: I've included a picture of my own ruby chard to illustrate this blog after AS failed to send me one of her own.
As previewed here last month, You Are What You Grow by Antonia Swinson is now out, stylishly published by Luath Press for £9.99. It's a marvellous read for anybody who is, or is thinking about, 'farming' an allotment, although there's far more to it than merely a list of vegetables. It's particularly strong on aspects of community and land ownership - and there's an entire chapter devoted to her beloved shed and the joys and attractions of shed ownership, not to mention a shed on the front cover. You can read more about it at her website here - it certainly deserves to top the bestseller lists this Christmas.
Antonia Swinson, a former business journalist, has discovered the life-enhancing effects of growing things in her Edinburgh allotment. You Are What You Grow: Life, Land and the Pursuit of Happiness (Luath £9.99) is more a lively account of her musings over a year spent in her plot than a practical guide to growing radishes, but gives food for thought, as well as for the plate.
You Are What You Grow is a first collection of newspaper columns from the first lady of allotmenteering, Antonia Swinson. It is an inspiration even to those who don't tend so much as a window box.
Adressing issues such as land ownership and organic produce, Swinson offers a fascinating take on the challenges facing an allotmenteer in thenorthern climes of Edinburgh. You Are What You Grow presents the humble allotment as a metaphor for how we live our lives today.
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