Wednesday 16 September 2009

Leeks


This is how my leeks look at the moment. I'm a little worried about them as they don't seem to be thickening up very well, nor are they the lovely green colour of my allotment neighbour's. I think the state of my soil has alot to answer for. Having only got the allotment in March of this year, I have been planting out and hoping for the best. Obviously this method is not going to provide the best crops. I'm in the process of sourcing some well rotted manure so that I can add it to the beds shortly and hopefully next year I will have alot more success.


The weather over the last week has been really good and I've managed to get to the allotment every day. On Saturday my daughter went to her friend's house, so it gave us the whole day to work on the plot. Preparation for next year has started in earnest, and we have also started to clear the part of the plot which so far hasn't been touched. The strawberry bed has now been fully weeded, and all the runners have been removed. Some of these have been potted up to increase the number of plants I have, so I should get a good crop again next year.


The seed catalogues have started dropping through the letterbox. I've started making a list of flowers I want to grow at the allotment for cutting. I have seen lots of pictures on other blogs of Zinnia, and this is one flower already on my list. I also want to grow some small sunflowers, as I think they look so lovely in a vase, as well as some large sunflowers as I like to dry the heads for the birds.


I'm still harvesting huge amounts of French and runner beans. The plants aren't showing any signs of slowing down so I think I'll have plenty more to come.

13 comments:

  1. I still have lot of runner beans growing...I am hoping to be able to freeze enough to last me all winter!!

    Your leeks don't look great but don't give up all hope just yet there's still a chance they will get bigger.

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  2. Well done for getting the leeks in at all! I got my earth in March too, and in the race to get summer crops planted told myself I'd leave lots of time to plant winter veg. But I haven't had any time to plant anything yet. I think I'll be hastily ordering some plugs and watching your leeks' progress with a bit of envy!

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  3. Just tell everyone you've grown baby leeks on purpose because you find their taste so much better. Say anything with enough confidence and people will believe!

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  4. Good luck with the leeks. They are one of the things that just won't grow here and I am quite fond of them. My hubby used to use them in Kish. (MMMMMMMMMMMM!)Hopefully better prep will do the trick for next year.

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  5. I'm sure you pay EXTRA at the supermarket for baby produce...! You're just saving yourself more money by growing them! :o)

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  6. Nice to watch leaves standing up like that!.. bangchik

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  7. Have faith Jo... my leeks always look a bit pallid when they first go in. Before you know it they'll fine. John

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  8. Hi Jo, don't want to scare you !! but check for caterpillars inside the green stems on the leeks, as we on our allotment have them from the 'Leek moth' never heard of it before. I have had to dig up the whole of my leek bed, I am gutted as I love leek and potato soup. Growing them under fleece from next year.
    Try some comfrey tea to feed yours, also they will fatten up over winter, lucky you.

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  9. I've spent most of the summer snarling to myself - all those useless winter veg taking up all that valuable space - you know the stuff - brussel sprouts, purple brocolli, leeks, parsnips, artichokes - but I'ce just taken a couple of parsnips - a bit early I know but I couldn't resist - and WOW - they are whoppers! Makes it all worthwhile.

    And your leeks are better than mine - don't give, but maybe earth-up?

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  10. Good luck with the leeks. I love to cook with them and fresh from the garden is even better.

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  11. I'm hoping the leeks will get bigger, Tanya. They've still got some time left to grow yet.

    Leeks, parsnips and Brussels sprouts are the only thing I've got in for winter, Frugilegus. I'm determined to be more organised next year.

    That's a good excuse, Dawn. I think I'll use it.

    I'm hoping that once I've got some goodness back in the soil, things will grow better for me, Kat.

    Very true, Cat. I'll still be able to use them as baby leeks I suppose.

    It would be even better to watch the Leeks bulk up a little, Bangchik.

    Thanks for visiting, John. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

    I read your post about Leek Moth, Maureen. I checked the leeks but didn't find anything. I'm hoping that they do fatten up.

    Sounds like you'll be well catered for over winter, Simon. Yes, I'll give them an earthing up and see if that does the trick.

    Thanks, Mary Delle. I love leeks too, so I hope they do manage to grow a little better.

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  12. Our leeks were very small right up until Spring, where they thickened up. And then bolted before I could harvest, but that is by the by!

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  13. If they don't thicken up, I'll just pull them as baby leeks, ReapWhatYouGrow. I'm determined to get something out of them before they bolt.

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