"Judith in England" wrote

"Bob Hobden" wrote:

"Judith in England" wrote

I have never grown them before.
Any particular seeds? Any personal tips?


The variety is a matter of choice, some like pot leeks with big solid
base,
we prefer a long white stem.
Plant the seeds in a seed bed or even in large pots and grow them on until
nearly the size of a pencil. Then it's time to plant out and that is the
time that determines the length of whiteness of stem. I used to be a hole
planter but now I'm a ditch and hole planter. I dig out a small
ditch/large
drill and then make holes as deep as I can go at 9inch spacing. Into each
hole pop a leek plant and then water in very well so the soil washes down
slightly to cover the roots leaving the plant growing in a hole. As time
goes by the leeks get bigger and the holes fill in, I then start to back
fill the ditch and even bank up the leeks ensuring a long white stem.
The only troubles I've had have been the dreaded Leek Moth which makes the
plants look like they have been shredded, usually they grow through it
eventually but not always as a friend has found this year. Also Rust can
be
a problem.

Excellent thanks.

Do you tend to use the same variety - do you use F1 or not bother?



With Leeks we haven't got a favourite variety so we buy seeds of what ever
we fancy at the time, normally F1m, but a rust resistant variety would be
good if there is such a thing.
Unlike, say, cauliflowers, F1 leeks do not all have to be used the same
week, they stand all winter for use as and when.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK