Allotments 4 All

Back in January I found that a couple of my leeks (Musselburgh) had suffered damage to the main stem and had responded by producing a clump of offsets.  I separated the offsets and planted 18 out in a spare bed.  They've settled in well - I lost one very spindly offset - and I've now got 17 offset leeks, the thickest about the width of a pencil.

The question is are they likely to develop normally for harvesting in autumn - or are they more likely to flower.  Heart says they'll be a nice crop early in the autumn - head says they're biennials.  If they're big enough of course they'll flower.

What's your experience?

Never tried it but they may.. my babbington leeks are great at this time of the year, you eat the offsets..  :)

Mine didn't come to anything.

It's an interesting point. The leek is probably perennial and tend to produce clumps of offsets from the base after flowering or when the flower bud is pinched out. I've always left the clump till I need some leeks then harvest the lot.

When leek seeds are sown too early they tend to run to seed in late summer so I would assume the offsets would do the same but I've never tried it myself.

Thanks everyone.  I'll keep them going - they're not taking up much space on the allotment - and let you know the results later in the year.

I have noticed that leeks are starting to go to seed about now.

You do not notice it in the gardening side of things, it is when you cut down the centre to wash them and prepare them for cooking that you notice the centre solid bit that does not soften when cooking, is coming up the centre.

My reasoning was that the big ones would go to seed first, once they had reached their full growth but I am finding out that this is not true.

I have have concluded that plants, in general, are programmed to reproduce when they feel that they have not got long to live, to continue the species. Sometimes transplanting can start off the process or finding themselves in a cramped space does it.

Based on this I might eat the little ones before the big ones because the growth spurt would be in the going to seed process rather than getting bigger. Meaning the little ones will be all hard bit in the middle when dug up for the kitchen.

If that makes sense. I know what I mean but am not sure if I have got it written down clearly.

made sense to me :)