Allotments 4 All

Right or wrong, if the roots have made a tangly mass in the plugs or tray, yes- I trim - or they won't drop into the hole. And, unless the soil is wet, you have to be quick before the soil falls back in.

I'll have a go at earthing them up today - we shall see, I tried the idea of washing the soil in but in practice, once I'd made the hole with the end of my hoe, it was a race to get the leek in before the soil all fell in before it  >:(. My sister was planting her ones at the same time and just did them with a trowel - they look a lot better than mine!

Hey Tim

Is that your photo album of your allotment/garden?  Or is it a reference guide?

I can't believe it, it looks fantastic.  My internet connection has been so slow the last 2 days I can't wait to go back and have a better look :o

Cheers, Anna

PS:  I think I'll replant my leeks tomorrow.

The garden, Anna - gave up the 2 allotments 20 years ago. Too much work!!

Tim, just visited your blog.  Stunning array of photos - is there any vegetable that you can't grow? :)

Gosh Tim, how much of a garden do you have now?

You must have been a farmer with those 2 allotments.

Anna

Mostly - no! Except 'field veg' like swedes & turnips.

Other things - like carrots - can be erratic but, in the end, we get them!

But CONTINUITY is, & will always be, the big unsolvable problem. For us poor folk. Whatever you do, even allowing for the changing seasons, it NEVER works to plan. I know I've asked before, but how do Quatre Saisons & River Cafe etc ALWAYS have their own herbs etc - all through the year?? And the latter do not have gardeners.

PS Sorry - forgot to say that every year has its failures!!

Quite honestly, I don't think there's anything to get worked up about when it comes to planting leeks. Use a dibber and water them in or just plant them in the usual way, they still grow regardless. After all, they were the mainstay of peasant economies through the middle ages and beyond, presumably armed only with very clumsy digging implements. Leeks also seem to be pretty drought resistant and impervious to frosts. Incredible plants really .....

I trim the leaves back then dip the roots in the watering can before sticking them in the hole - helps the roots get right to the bottom of the whole, rather then spreading up the sides of the hole. Then fill the hole with water.

I haven't moved my yet, it was pouring on that day. :(

There seems to be a number of 'shoots' close together coming out of the earth - Do they need to be separated before I transplant them?

I like your suggestion Keef but now I don't know if I have left it too late to transplant properly.

Any suggestions?
Anna