Comments on: Snow, Leeks & Sprouts

By: Charlie

Charlie — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 19:59:33 +0000

It was my first year growing leeks,in fact my first year of allotment growing. My leeks seem to have turned out a bit sort of ‘squidgy’ and not particularly thick. I suspect my heavy clay soil has something to do with it? I would like to try again this year, what can I do to get better results?
Also one of them has had the green leafy bit gnawed off by something. I don’t think it was slugs as the soil around the base looked slightly dug or scratched away.Despite this it was still standing and seems to have re-grown now. It’s a mystery made all the more strange that it was only one leek affected?? Any ideas?
Thanks, Charlie

By: Charles

Charles — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:19:36 +0000

I’ve had a reasonable year for leeks, not too big but few failures. Size may have something to do with the poor weather from August onwards. I don’t worry about having to transplant them. I sow early, thinly in a seed tray, then when they are 2-3″ tall soak them out and put them in dibbed holes 2″ deep and 2″ apart in a bed in the garden. It’s quite easy to protect a lot of plants like this until they are big enough to fend for themselves. At about 5″ tall I soak well and dig up, trim the roots a bit and put them into the prepared bed on the plot at final spacing. Not very scientific but it has seemed to work for me for the past 3 years.

By: Jon Wright

Jon Wright — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:16:28 +0000

Thanks for the tip on the Sarpo. I was going to use some of last years crop for this year but like you say for all the effort it’s probably wiser to buy new crop.

Jon

By: Nigel_Kirby

Nigel_Kirby — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 12:05:34 +0000

Our problem with leeks has been attack by leek (onion) fly.
Our solution has been to bring on in the greenhouse at home, then plant out late in September/October and cover with a fine woven material. This is NOT expensive enviromesh but cheap (50p/m) material from a fabric shop, the widest you can get.
Result has been a good crop of reasonably thick leeks.
Support the material on plastic hula hoops, cut open and stuck in the ground, they give enough clearance.

By: Swing Swang

Swing Swang — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:27:46 +0000

Hello John,

I had my best year for leeks, but then it was my first year for leeks too!

Regards,

By: John

John — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 22:58:58 +0000

I really should read Garden News for long range weather

However, I’m sticking with a glorious summer until it rains every day

By: yanfoex

yanfoex — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:58:21 +0000

Not one to water everyone’s bonfire but – I’m looking at the January 6th edition of GardenNews and Ian Currie’s forecast for 2009. “Summer will be late again.” Edited highlights: Wet May; June and July wetter than average in Scotland and Northern England; similar for the first half of August. There is, however, the promise of a warm Autumn, with October being particularly dry. “Distinct possibility of a white Christmas ….”

By: John

John — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:19:05 +0000

You could well be right Rachael, I know it’s not a proper blind trial. Still my usual way works and is easier anyway. I’ll probably have an other daft idea to try this year!

By: Rachael

Rachael — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:26:07 +0000

A lot of people have said what a bad year they have had for leeks, so I doubt that it’s just the method that’s responsible!

By: John

John — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:42:14 +0000

Trouble with Marestail is the thin roots are hard to spot being soil coloured – still, if you’re lucky then I’m just jealous!
Glad you liked the book. I do try and post out asap, after all – you trusted me with your money!