"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...

"michael" wrote ...
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?

From what you say I imagine you are planting them too early, ours are no
way big enough to go to seed yet and it will be well into next year before
they do.

Oh I'm so glad you said that! I've never grown leeks before, this year I
started them in the greenhouse then dibbed them into the open ground, about
May I suppose. It wasn't raining :-)

But in my innocence I never thought about them going to seed. they're quite
good now and I'd use some if I needed them but I didn't take note of when to
pull them - or if they over-winter. I assume they wouldn't.

The extra compost may contribute to your problems as we plant our onions
etc in the last year of our 4 year rotation (manure on year 1) and just
throw on some Growmore and/or water with some seaweed extract to get them
growing.

I have a three year rotation because I only have three plots and no it's not
possible to divide them! There were four but one is now a fruit cage. When
any land is fallow the banties are let onto it, I can control their range by
movable chicken wire hurdles.

So do I leave them in over the cold months or will they suffer? That's
assuming I haven't used them. That plot is shared with a few carrots, some
onions and salsify.

Mary
in Leeds