over wintering

[ruffmeister]

hi there peeps,

we have leeks, cabbage, and purple sprouting brocccoli and want to over winter them, whats the best method, do they need covering or should i leave them alone?

any help greatly appreciated. :-)

[ruffmeister]

[supersprout]

Hi ruffie, you can leave them alone, they are tough :)

BUT

Pigeons might want to feed on your brassica: I keep mine covered with mesh all winter. Mesh also stops the rain from splashing the leaves of low growing overwinterers (cabbage/spinach/mustard) which is appreciated by the kitchen staff ;)

For a weed-free leek bed that you can harvest in frost, I'd go for a cosy straw mulch viz:

[saddad]

Sound advice all round from SS as usual..
;D

[Hyacinth]

(so envy you that straw SS)

Remember also the winter winds....good idea to stake the psb. SS is right - tough as old boots, so won't need covering.