Ah, the beginning of September - heralding the beginning of autumn and the big bonanza of newly published books, all shiny new and ready for the Christmas market.
One of the first books to arrive through the door with a satisfying whack on the mat is Big Veg by Gerald Stratford.
Gerald Stratford has been growing vegetables since he was taught how to as a small boy by his father but had never thought about writing a book about it.
He's a grandfather in his seventies, a retired fisherman and gardener but that's just what he's done.
His book "Big Veg",was published last week and I think it's going to sell very well for a number of reasons.
Firstly, Gerald is an internet sensation. Despite not being on social media for long, he has already made his mark, attracting over 308,000 followers on twitter alone.
I'm one of them, and I know all is well in the world when there's a post and video from Gerald.
"Good morning" or "Good evening "he says in his lovely Oxfordshire lilt, and I'm transported to a happy place where there are outsize vegetables to admire which Gerald has grown, and to hear little snippets about his life. Nothing earth-shattering takes place in his videos, they're not slick there's no fancy, frenetic, over the top presentation either, but they are surprisingly addictive.
So what about his book?
In the words of a famous Ronseal catchphrase from yesteryear "it does what it says on the tin."
It's about the outsize veg he grows in his garden and allotment, and how to grow them in simple, understandable terms.
Split into sections, the book has lots of tips for beginners to both grow and show big vegetables. His advice is encouraging and he understands that when growing veg, anything ..good or bad, can happen despite your best efforts.
He only grows he likes to eat though, an important commandment really for any grow your own fan. After all, what's the point?
In his chapter on what its like to show your vegetables, Gerald is spot on as he describes the anticipation, the sheer thrill and the fun to be had whether you're exhibiting at your local village show or a more prestigious one. In the world of big veg mind you, size matters and his friendly, inspiring approach will enable you to grow some whoppers.
The last part of the book guides us month by month through Gerald's year of growing vegetables, both for showing and for supplying him and his family with meals in every season.
It's a charming glimpse into a land which is forever England. A gentle land of sheds, greenhouses, allotments and vegetable and flower shows. This book takes into Gerald's likeable world of retirement, family, growing food for his family and above all, humour and contentment.
Mind you, his world is already changing with a book, even modelling, plus appearing at a literary festival next month, but I suspect that nothing will change Gerald.
Cheers Gerald!
Big Veg by Gerald Stratford is published by Headline Books and costs £14.99.
My copy was sent for review.
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