Woody leek

I'd agree with the hot, dry weather theory 

Mine are the same.

I had 2 lots - 1 were Bleu de Solaise that I sowed at the beginning of February.  I usually sow later, but this was an experiment.  Anyway they languished on in the cold spring and I ended up buying a tray of leek seedlings from the garden centre in mid April (helpfully just labelled as leeks  ), as I thought they would come to nothing.

My own sown seed did catch up in the end and both lots went out onto the plot.  The garden centre plants have all bolted and were woody and inedible.   The Bleu de Solaise are still standing and not one has bolted.  They have not grown as big as in previous years, but they are there.  It is an old variety that maybe stands the ups and downs of the weather a little better 

Anyway, I'm sticking with it next year and will try an early sowing again 

Almost everyones leeks are the same this year, small in size and some bolting. Early sowing cannot be blamed. Mine were sowed in the open in April and planted out early in July following first early potatoes. Size is OK but I will wait a bit to start digging them in the hope of a little more growth. They have had almost no rain since planting out which I think is the problem. We tend to leave reliable leeks to just get on with it. I have started watering them.

I was in ASDA this morning. They had British-grown leeks that looked just great. So how do commercial growers avoid the problems that beset us, mere amateurs?

I was in ASDA this morning. They had British-grown leeks that looked just great. So how do commercial growers avoid the problems that beset us, mere amateurs?

Chemicals.........and lots of them

Quote from: steved on November 08, 2016, 07:53

Quote from: AlaninCarlisle on November 07, 2016, 17:21

I was in ASDA this morning. They had British-grown leeks that looked just great. So how do commercial growers avoid the problems that beset us, mere amateurs?

Chemicals.........and lots of them

Plenty of water.

I shoot over 2500 acres of farmland and not one of them water their leeks.
Brassicas, lettuce, sweetcorn etc get all the water

That's such a shame, Alanin! I haven't tried any of my leeks yet, but maybe I'd better check a few to see if they're going to be edible or not. This is my first year of growing veggies, so I have no prior experience with leeks.

The few I've pulled have been lovely... quite small, but tender and delicious. I hope the rest will be as good.