Leek query

[shirlthegirl43]

Hi all,

Just realised that I will have an empty patch where my short row of spuds is slowly being harvested. Would have liked to put leeks in here as I have read on here that they are good to put in after the earlies. Hadn't thought about this earlier and don't have any ready to plant out.

Can anyone advise where I might be able to buy a few leeks ready to plant or should I just try a couple from seed and see what happens, I have a cloche thing that I could set up in the winter to help them.

Sorry to be asking such a silly question but this is the first year I have grown any veggies and most of my spuds are in buckets and it hadn't occured to me that there would be an empty spot once the one short row were lifted.

Thanks for any replies

happy gardening
Shirley

[SueA]

Hi Shirley, I think you are too late to get any leek plants now & growing them from seed you might not get them established to last the winter. There are some leeks which will stand all through winter, I think 'Arctic' & 'Bandit' are two names, so possibly if you got seeds & got them going indoors you could then plant them out & use the cloche to protect them from frost if the weren't very big but they might not put on enough growth before the winter sets in. You could try something like shallots, garlic or onions which you can buy Autumn planting sets of instead.

[shirlthegirl43]

Thanks for that Sue. Thought I was hoping for too much. Oh well, if I plant spuds in the ground next year I will remember to organise something to follow them!!!

Mind you, I have been looking at garlic in the Dobies catalogue - any recommendations on which are best for size and flavour - we are a bunch of garlic lovers!!

[SueA]

Don't know any personally Shirley as the only garlic I've ever grown has been from cloves pulled off supermarket bought ones. I think Elephant garlic is supposed to be good as far as size & flavour though, but I'm sure someone else on the vine will have some ideas.

[shirlthegirl43]

Does it work okay with the supermarket stuff then? If so, I will save myself the bother of ordering it!!

Thanks for your help and advice, it is a very steep learning curve growing veggies but great fun!!

My mum grew loads of stuff when we were kids but I was too young to learn much other than how to weed the onions (the only things where I could tell the crop from the weeds). Sadly I am unable to ask my Mum for advice and I am so grateful for people on boards like this for their wisdom and tips.

Off outside now to see how the weedkiller is working on my future bigger veggie patch! Just another half dozen or so golden conifers to demolish to allow sunshine to the spot - don't worry, waiting for the birds to finish nesting first!

[Birdie Wife]

Elephant garlic is supposed to have huge bulbs and a mild flavour - I've not grown it before, but if you love roasting garlic, this might be a good variety to try. Supermarket garlic works fine too, but I go for 'Solent Wight', good bulb size and excellent flavour and keeping properties. I'm still eating garlic I harvested last year and it's almost as fresh as when it was first picked! If you are garlic officianados, may you could try 2 or 3 varieties and do some taste testing? Dobies seem to have twice as many varieties this year as they did a couple of years ago.

[shirlthegirl43]

Thanks for all the advice.

Have been looking at the Dobies catalogue and like the look of the Purple Wight and the Oswega White may be worth a try as it is recommended for roasting.

Think I will give those a go and see how it goes.

[mandyballantyne]

Hi Shirley,

I have just ordered some leek plants from

www.organicplants.co.uk It is on the July offers so not much time.

Good Luck,

Mandy

[shirlthegirl43]

Thanks for that Mandy, will have a look soon.

[sewer rat]

Not connected with them in any way but suggest that all potential garlic growers take a look at the website of The Really Garlicky Company before buying different types of garlic - sorry but can't remember their URL- just google the company name

[pickledtink]

Also have a look at www.rocketgardens.co.uk where you can still get all sorts ready to plant now or later.

[pickledtink]

...and www.growersorganics.com

[shirlthegirl43]

Thanks for all the responses folks. I have bought some leek plants from ebay today. Will update you when they arrive.