On 22 Sep, 14:39, "Bertie Doe" wrote:
"michael" wrote in message

...

I have been gardening for about 40 years,but still have problems
growing leeks which are very large or which do not go to seed.My
allotment is on sandy acid soil and I always add some compost to my
leek patch.I plant about six inches apart,and plant in a hole about 8"
deep using a dibber and water in.My main variety is Musselburgh,but I
have tried several others.This year in particular was quite wet,but
now several have started to produce seed heads as usual.What is the
secret?

My allotment is on gritty acid soil and I crop from mid Nov thru to mid May.
I plant seed in 2" deep trays on the windowsill in mid May and transfer them
out when they are 1" tall. I keep them in the trays until 1st Aug.

I transplant them onto the allotment on the 1st August. About half the 150
or so plants are Musselburgh and I'll expect half a dozen will go to seed,
but this won't be until May '09. I plant into last years potato patch, which
would have been manured the previous Winter. The plants aren't patricularly
large, but there are lots of em'. I'm guessing here, but I would suggest
delay planting and use compost from the heap, rather than manure. Any
thoughts?

Bertie

Maybe you have the answer.When you say you plant seed in 2" trays and
then transfer them out,do you mean into modules or other 2" trays but
more widely spaced?Do you then keep them(outside I assume)in these
planted out trays until August?I have been planting out in May/June
but have never thought of putting them in as late as August.What do
you use the ground for after your leeks come up in,say June 09?
regards,michael