I've grown some Mussleborough leeks this year on a fairly sunny spot in
sandy soil. They haven't turned out very big - about 10% are more then
1" in diameter. They smell wonderful when cut but the taste when fried
or stewed is fairly bitter. No obvious diseases or pests. I used the
hole planting method and the stems are nicely blanched

Tesco do bigger and better.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks!

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

In article , Steve
Harris writes
I've grown some Mussleborough leeks this year on a fairly sunny spot in
sandy soil. They haven't turned out very big - about 10% are more then
1" in diameter. They smell wonderful when cut but the taste when fried
or stewed is fairly bitter. No obvious diseases or pests. I used the
hole planting method and the stems are nicely blanched

Tesco do bigger and better.

What am I doing wrong?

Just a guess - if your leeks are undersized they could have been lacking
moisture in the very dry summer of 2003, or you may not have given them
sufficient growing time. Either could have resulted in them not having
matured or ripened sufficiently and led to the bitterness in taste.
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

Steve Harris wrote:


I've grown some Mussleborough leeks this year on a fairly sunny spot in
sandy soil. They haven't turned out very big - about 10% are more then
1" in diameter. They smell wonderful when cut but the taste when fried
or stewed is fairly bitter. No obvious diseases or pests. I used the
hole planting method and the stems are nicely blanched

Tesco do bigger and better.

What am I doing wrong?


Generally leeks like a nice rich soil, and sufficient water whilst
growing.. Possibly the bitterness comes from slow growth during this
seasons dry weather?

Feed the soil and ensure adequate water is a suggestion

Jim

In article ,
(Alan Gould) wrote:

or you may not have given them
sufficient growing time.

Are they likely to mature further in the next couple of months. IE
improve in flavour even if they stay the same size?

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com

In article , Steve
Harris writes
In article ,
(Alan Gould) wrote:

or you may not have given them
sufficient growing time.

Are they likely to mature further in the next couple of months. IE
improve in flavour even if they stay the same size?

That seems doubtful, but it may be worth giving them a try.
Bitterness in leeks could also be due to the plants being in an early
stage of bolting, or even soil composition.
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

In article , Steve
Harris writes
In article ,
(Alan Gould) wrote:

or you may not have given them
sufficient growing time.

Are they likely to mature further in the next couple of months. IE
improve in flavour even if they stay the same size?

That seems doubtful, but it may be worth giving them a try.
Bitterness in leeks could also be due to the plants being in an early
stage of bolting, or even soil composition.
--
Alan & Joan Gould - North Lincs.

In article ,
(Alan Gould) wrote:

Bitterness in leeks could also be due to the plants being in an early
stage of bolting, or even soil composition.

The soil is quite sandy although it did have compost about a year ago..
Also, the area was shared with some sweetcorn which was fine if a bit
small (but it was a dwarf variety)

Nothing either wilted or flourished this year (except the tomatoes that
went mad)

My plan for 2004:

- Different plot for leeks that gets a bit more sun
- A bit of in-season fertiliser. (Blood, Fish and Bone)
- A bit more water
- Also try some Carentan (unopened packet from this year)

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com