Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Steveharford on January 03, 2014, 13:26

Title: I need a leek....
Post by: Steveharford on January 03, 2014, 13:26
....that I can sow now, which crops early, and has a long season. We don't use very many but I would still like to grow just one variety that I can rely on over a long period, say November to March. Does anyone have a favourite they could recommend? 
Title: Re: I need a leek....
Post by: gypsy on January 03, 2014, 13:40
I grew musselburgh this yr, sowed April, planted out june and they were ready for eating in late September. I will dig them up as needed probably until March.
Title: Re: I need a leek....
Post by: sunshineband on January 03, 2014, 13:43
I grow Large American Flag and Bleu de Solaise.

Both stand well over the season, and grow relatively quickly from an indoor sowing around now.

Title: Re: I need a leek....
Post by: mumofstig on January 03, 2014, 15:02
Quite a few of them will stand for months - but why the need to sow now?
Title: Re: I need a leek....
Post by: sunshineband on January 03, 2014, 15:07
For the last couple of years I sowed them at the end of January, beginning of February and they were a decent size when I planted them out to follow the first early potatoes.

Lots of folk sow them directly outside and transplant them... seem to do OK.

It 's just what suits individual circumstances

I suppose 'about now' did seem a tad early as it is only 3rd: sorry about that  :(
Title: Re: I need a leek....
Post by: mumofstig on January 03, 2014, 15:10
Fairy nuf  ;)
Title: Re: I need a leek....
Post by: sunshineband on January 03, 2014, 17:30
Fairy nuf  ;)

Those fairies are everywhere  :lol:

Right, back to the topic please before I have to apologise again  :blush:
Title: Re: I need a leek....
Post by: adri123 on January 03, 2014, 17:34
Musselburgh.  They are cheap seeds and tried and tested.  Never had a problem with them and can't see why anyone would sow anything else given the quality that these cheap seeds provide.

Cheers

Adri
Title: Re: I need a leek....
Post by: mumofstig on January 03, 2014, 17:40
can't see why anyone would sow anything else given the quality that these cheap seeds provide.
There's usually a reason for choosing more expensive seeds......

when I can I choose varieties that have good rust resistance, cos there's a lot of it about on our site  :(
Title: Re: I need a leek....
Post by: sunshineband on January 03, 2014, 17:45
Longer white shaft in the case of American Flag, and the most gorgeous leaf colour with Bleu de Solaise .. almost purple when the weather is very cold.

Title: Re: I need a leek....
Post by: gypsy on January 03, 2014, 19:12
I may try American flag if I can find any
Title: Re: I need a leek....
Post by: pigguns on January 03, 2014, 19:27
I grew musselburgh this yr, sowed April, planted out june and they were ready for eating in late September. I will dig them up as needed probably until March.

I did this but mine are still the size of a 1p in diameter.  I did plant them in unknown soil on a new plot.  Could be feeding then.  Will try again.
Title: Re: I need a leek....
Post by: Steveharford on January 03, 2014, 19:33
Thanks all. I have been convinced by the response to pick up some Musselburgh seeds today so will be sowing them at the weekend.
Title: Re: I need a leek....
Post by: gypsy on January 05, 2014, 14:40
Longer white shaft in the case of American Flag, and the most gorgeous leaf colour with Bleu de Solaise .. almost purple when the weather is very cold.
I just ordered a packet of blue American Flag.  :lol:
Title: Re: I need a leek....
Post by: Fairy Plotmother on January 05, 2014, 14:44
 :) I have no problem with Musselburgh. They seem to look after themselves. However, I haven't seen them since Christmas Eve......do leeks swim? :unsure: :unsure:
Title: Re: I need a leek....
Post by: devonbarmygardener on January 06, 2014, 08:54
'Volta' - the only leek I have ever managed to grow that has not succumbed to leek moth or some other kind of rot! :D
My second sowing from last year are still standing now.
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