Of lousy leeks
I’m still bitter about my shitty leeks. Like an Ethiopian airliner, they just failed to take off (can’t believe I typed that. I’m going straight to hell).
Here’s the enigma: I grow leeks for three straight years and they’re brilliant. Fat, healthy, perfect. Then they’re a washout for two years; a total disaster.
And I’ve done everything the same. No variation, no eccentricities.
The old boys at the plot mutter darkly about leek moth, but none of mine have any peculiar colourings, or other symptoms. They just haven’t grown.
I turn these things over in my mind during the long, dark nights. Never any answers, just more questions.
And so the winter passes.
My leeks were poor specimens too, they just never seemed to bulk up. I took them all out at the weekend, and they’re tasty just the same but you have to use loads just for one meal.
January 26th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
No offense, but your post gives me hope. My leeks have always stunk, perhaps this will be the year they grow big.:)
January 27th, 2010 at 1:34 am
Have you changed the planting neighbors? According to local wisdom, it seems that beans, beetroot and peas next door could limit the growth and health of leeks. Try planting strawberries, carrots, lettuce or cabbage next door.
It also seems that leek moth (along with onion thrips and other bugs) should damage the plant but not make them weak and small, so maybe they are not to blame.
January 27th, 2010 at 8:16 am
I’ve always grown them next to peas and beans, Simon… and they were OK at first. Perhaps this is the problem? Trouble is, my crop rotation pattern makes moving them very difficult.
May have to try, just to see.
January 27th, 2010 at 9:12 am
I was planning to put leeks with my roots; mmmm, might be time for a re-think!
January 27th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
They look perfectly respectable to me Soilman. Mine are also very small but I’m putting it down to the weather. Things just don’t grow when it’s this cold.
January 27th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
I grew them for 2 years, in exactly the same way – plant. feed.leave. First year, fat and stumpy. The second year leeks were like pencils and really poor. Didn’t bother last year – seemed too much space to give over to naff veg.
January 27th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Too dry it was last year.
January 28th, 2010 at 9:46 am
No shit, Yoda.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
ethiopian airliner pmsl I’ve missed your humour Soilman xxx
January 29th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
I blame the weather. And the Americans. For everything.
January 31st, 2010 at 9:58 pm
I’d say the size seems respectable for winter leeks, but the yellowing is disconcerting. Is nutrient deficiency out of the question? I’d try a soil test kit.
February 1st, 2010 at 1:15 am
gives me hope as I’ve been growing veg for 2 years now and both years my leeks have been poor. Thanks Soilman I’ll keep trying!
February 10th, 2010 at 7:33 pm