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#1
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Leeks -blanching.
I have read somewhere that instead of gradually raising the soil around
leeks and therefore risking soil getting into the leeks, that plastic plumbing pipes can be used to sheath the leeks. My question is what diameter pipe, what length and when should they be used on the growing leeks. Thanks for any help. Alan |
#2
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Leeks -blanching.
In article , "Alan McKenzie" writes: | | I have read somewhere that instead of gradually raising the soil around | leeks and therefore risking soil getting into the leeks, that plastic | plumbing pipes can be used to sheath the leeks. The slugs will love you for it. Regards, Nick Maclaren. |
#3
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Leeks -blanching.
"Alan McKenzie" wrote in message ... I have read somewhere that instead of gradually raising the soil around leeks and therefore risking soil getting into the leeks, that plastic plumbing pipes can be used to sheath the leeks. My question is what diameter pipe, what length Rather than use pipes which can be awkward, for reasons you've worked out for yourself, a lot of exhibitors and others nowadays use sheets of thin black polycarbonate, or clear polycarbonate painted black which are formed into a roll around the plant in situ, and tied with string. You can find thin polycarboante - a waterpoof version of corrugated cardboard in all sorts of places, for free. The fact that the thick version costs a lot of money when sold as cold frames, or glazing sheets, or portfolios shouldn't put you off. The ideal is to leave a good air gap around the leek so as to allow a good circulation of air. So make the "pipes" as wide as possible within reason. That way any water will evaporate away rather than settle on the leek and turn the outside layer mushy. The poly tubes should be regularly replaced as the leeks grow in height. This was a devil of a job in the old days using lengths of drainpipe as you can imagine. Bring the pipe well up past the button, the first leaf joint, as with a wide pipe this is necessary to avoid any light falling inside the pipe. You can also put some sort of barrier - a scrunched up black bin-bag around the mouth of the tube but just on the side that gets the sun. In this way any moisture can still evaporate away. Push a narrow section (2 inch max ) plastic pipe into the ground alongside each leek and water and feed through that. Don't water inside the tubes\pipes. michael adams and when should they be used on the growing leeks. Thanks for any help. Alan |
#4
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Leeks -blanching.
cheers michael for your detailed help - will try that this year.
"michael adams" wrote in message ... "Alan McKenzie" wrote in message ... I have read somewhere that instead of gradually raising the soil around leeks and therefore risking soil getting into the leeks, that plastic plumbing pipes can be used to sheath the leeks. My question is what diameter pipe, what length Rather than use pipes which can be awkward, for reasons you've worked out for yourself, a lot of exhibitors and others nowadays use sheets of thin black polycarbonate, or clear polycarbonate painted black which are formed into a roll around the plant in situ, and tied with string. You can find thin polycarboante - a waterpoof version of corrugated cardboard in all sorts of places, for free. The fact that the thick version costs a lot of money when sold as cold frames, or glazing sheets, or portfolios shouldn't put you off. The ideal is to leave a good air gap around the leek so as to allow a good circulation of air. So make the "pipes" as wide as possible within reason. That way any water will evaporate away rather than settle on the leek and turn the outside layer mushy. The poly tubes should be regularly replaced as the leeks grow in height. This was a devil of a job in the old days using lengths of drainpipe as you can imagine. Bring the pipe well up past the button, the first leaf joint, as with a wide pipe this is necessary to avoid any light falling inside the pipe. You can also put some sort of barrier - a scrunched up black bin-bag around the mouth of the tube but just on the side that gets the sun. In this way any moisture can still evaporate away. Push a narrow section (2 inch max ) plastic pipe into the ground alongside each leek and water and feed through that. Don't water inside the tubes\pipes. michael adams and when should they be used on the growing leeks. Thanks for any help. Alan |
#5
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Leeks -blanching.
"Alan McKenzie" wrote in message ... cheers michael for your detailed help - will try that this year. .... Discarded Estate Agent's boards can be a good source of free polycarbonate, although they're usually white and so will require painting. The boards are supposed to be collected but nowadys are often just dumped in odd places. A blunt screwdriver is usually all you need to get them off. Even if you want to take the post as well, which can also come in handy. michael adams .... "michael adams" wrote in message ... "Alan McKenzie" wrote in message ... I have read somewhere that instead of gradually raising the soil around leeks and therefore risking soil getting into the leeks, that plastic plumbing pipes can be used to sheath the leeks. My question is what diameter pipe, what length Rather than use pipes which can be awkward, for reasons you've worked out for yourself, a lot of exhibitors and others nowadays use sheets of thin black polycarbonate, or clear polycarbonate painted black which are formed into a roll around the plant in situ, and tied with string. You can find thin polycarboante - a waterpoof version of corrugated cardboard in all sorts of places, for free. The fact that the thick version costs a lot of money when sold as cold frames, or glazing sheets, or portfolios shouldn't put you off. The ideal is to leave a good air gap around the leek so as to allow a good circulation of air. So make the "pipes" as wide as possible within reason. That way any water will evaporate away rather than settle on the leek and turn the outside layer mushy. The poly tubes should be regularly replaced as the leeks grow in height. This was a devil of a job in the old days using lengths of drainpipe as you can imagine. Bring the pipe well up past the button, the first leaf joint, as with a wide pipe this is necessary to avoid any light falling inside the pipe. You can also put some sort of barrier - a scrunched up black bin-bag around the mouth of the tube but just on the side that gets the sun. In this way any moisture can still evaporate away. Push a narrow section (2 inch max ) plastic pipe into the ground alongside each leek and water and feed through that. Don't water inside the tubes\pipes. michael adams and when should they be used on the growing leeks. Thanks for any help. Alan |
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