Topic: Good intent is not enough!

[tim]

Spurred on by The Gardener (he'll pay for this!) - I nipped out at dawn and started my 'leek trench'. I need 100'.

The man must be joking! Did 25', one spit deep, in nice soft soil ( that's why the darned sprouting fell over) - and realised that there was no way I could double that 4 times over. And barrow manure in as well. So, it'll have to be Ina's way this year. But I did get in some bonemeal!

But please don't be put off.  = Tim

[ina]

Ah yes, leeks. I'm going to try to sow them indoors this year to get a head start.
They will go the traditional way they do it here. Shallow trench with dibber holes in the bottom, as they grow, fill in the trench and later earthing up a bit on top as well.

[Doris_Pinks]

Sounds like a great idea to me Ina! I may too adopt your method. ;D

[ina]

Not my methode really, everyone here does it that way so I just did what I was shown my first year on the lottie. Hope it works for you.

[The gardener]

I think your method is decided for you by the type you grow.

Blanche leeks require dibbing in and/or earthed up, whereas pot leeks can be grown in a similar manner to onions.

[tim]

Always thought 'pot' leeks were prize type things? Obviously easier, but are they better for the cook? Aren't they a bit fat, and therefore more difficult to apportion, and to save the unused bits? = Tim

[Doris_Pinks]

I have never heard of pot leeks? What are they Gardener???

[The gardener]

Basically blanch leeks are grown for their long blanched stems, which can be blanched to around two foot long.

There are various methods of obtaining long blanch length, the most common being drain pipes.

Whereas pot leeks are grown more for the volume of edible parts, i.e. girth as opposed to length.

In fact as I recall with show 'pot leek' exhibits the blanch must not exceed 150mm (6") long and the larger the girth the better.

With blanch leeks  both dimensions mus be as big as you can get them.

Generally pot leeks are more hardy and make good winter greens, the pot leeks below were picked this morning.

In the two pictures below ( which are not of 'show quality) the blanched leeks are about 600mm (2ft)long and the pot leeks have about 75mm (3") girth.

Blanch leeks



Pot Leeks;




If you want to see some really prize specimens have a look in the show vegetable section of my picture gallery.

I hope that answers your queries.