On Thu, 27 Mar 2003 20:37:37 -0000, "janet.bennett"
wrote:

Leeks are among the most tolerant and trouble-free vegetables to
grow - apart from a little bit of extra work.

a.. Choose two or three varieties so you can have early leeks from
October to November, mid-season from December to January, and late from
February to April.

b.. Varieties I'm sowing this year.

??

Aww g'wan.... do tell

f.. Keep the weeds down, and draw soil (gently!) around the stems -
but not into the leaves.

I've never bothered with that earthing-up malarkey for my leeks....I
tend to make the dibber holes deeper in the first place.
Also, I like a bit of green on my leeks at table.
One neat trick is to drop an old loo roll over the leek just before
they overwinter - you get a semi-blanched effect which works quite
well.

g.. Start harvesting when they are still quite small - and as and
when you need them. Lift them gently with a fork.

I've still got a stand of Musselburgh in good shape - this is the
latest I've ever had them. Either the weather's been good to them, or
I've eaten less leeks this winter!


Regards,


--
Stephen Howard - Woodwind repairs & period restorations
http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk
Emails to: showard{who is at}shwoodwind{dot}co{dot}uk