[Falcon_man]

Hi all,

I have finally got a plot in the allotments near my house and so i'm moving from my current one which is about 2 miles away. The problem is that the one I have now has Leeks and Parsnip in and I don't know what the best thing to do is.

Should i just pick them all and have to give some away or will they survive transplantaion to the new plot?

Thanks

[SG6]

Suspect that not many would survive, if attempted then if not too many put them in a large pot with soil for the transportation. Simply keeps them in soil for more of the time. For some reason I suspect that damaging the tap root of the parsnips will be the main problem for them and as it is long it will get damaged.

I assume that you are having to give up the first plot when you take on the other? Couldn't you keep the first plot for a few months to allow the present crop to grow to harvest then give it up?

[gillie]

I would dig a trench on the new plot and then carefully lift the leeks from the old plot keeping as much soil on the roots as possible and pack them in the trench close together, filling the trench as you go.  It does not matter if the leeks are not upright.  This process, called 'heeling in' should keep the leeks in decent condition for quite a while though they probably will not put on any more growth.  You could try the same process with the parsnips, but I am not sure it will be successful.

You are bound to damage some plants in lifting them, so be ready with a big saucepan for some hefty soup making sessions.

Cheers,

Gillie