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07-11-2007, 09:15 PM
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 Leeks Hi all! This is only me second thread so please be gentle with me!  I'm a total novice at gardening.. I managed to get some peas and carrots this year to grow... and that was it! My grandfather was my info source right up until he passed away  last month so I am kinda stuck. I read GYO and decided to try coming on here for help, hints and tips!now.. to my question....  I planted some leeks from seed back in april (ish) in little pots, they are tiny.. i never got round to moving them to bigger beds. But i have now. They have wonderful heathly looking roots and the leeks themsleves look great (apart form being tiny!).. so my question... are they likely to thrive now they are in bigger beds or have i just wasted my time, especially at this time of year? TIA! 
__________________ Cyanara      |
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07-11-2007, 09:21 PM
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| They probably wont thrive untill late next spring. I have a crop of leeks that I only transplanted about a couple of months ago after planting them in July. Although it was really the wrong time for planting leeks I always get a crop of edible medium sized leeks. Doing it this way avoids the leek moth. Well thats what I always find anyway!! |
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07-11-2007, 09:29 PM
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| well.. there's hope for them yet!!! Thanks!! one question nicos... bear in mind i'm a bit concerete headed when it comes to all things green... what's rust?? and on leeks..? i know my car has some.... 
__________________ Cyanara Last edited by cyanara; 07-11-2007 at 09:29 PM. |
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07-11-2007, 09:47 PM
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| Its a fungal disease that leeks get, it looks like small orange/ ginger spots on leaves. can affect plant vigour if its bad, but otherwise if its a small affliction it looks worse than it is. Just an aside... are you organic..? 
__________________ I wish i could make a yo-yo work. http://www.guerrillagardening.org/ |
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07-11-2007, 09:52 PM
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| apart from the filing the dentist gave me... I'm trying to be... that is about the best that i can say... but it's difficult because i'm not terribly good with bugs so the idea of picking beatsies off my plants/veggies is abhorent to me... but then... so is the idea of feeding my 21 month old twins food full of pesicides etc. I've not used anything chemically from the garden centres on my beds *yet* and i want to try to keep it that way... i just feel once you do how long till the ground is purdged of it... but i don't know enough about gardeninng in general and organic gardenining in particular to be able to make informed decisions. Any help on that front greatly appreicate!
__________________ Cyanara Last edited by cyanara; 07-11-2007 at 09:53 PM. |
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07-11-2007, 10:02 PM
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| Ho dont worry, I'm not going all Eco on you, its easier to know when helping with advice. I'm about 90% organic myself, this year I've used chemical fertilizers, granules and liquid. Also I've used some weedkiller. However I wont use pesticides. Its at this point i would recommend the Hessayon books to all newcomers, however I've recently read they are all being updated in 2008 with new and relevant info. So perhaps hanging on would be prudent for now. A good book is RHS grow your own veg by Carol Klein.  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grow-Your-Ow...4469228&sr=1-1Library or ask Santa
__________________ I wish i could make a yo-yo work. http://www.guerrillagardening.org/ |
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07-11-2007, 11:08 PM
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| You'll get something from your leeks Cyanara. If you leave them in the ground they will grow on. But you can use them at any size. I do like them as baby leeks as a veg for the dinner as well as big leeks for soup. As for organic, that's up to you. And what does it mean anyway. I try to be organic in my way but I won't sit back and watch my crops being decimated. I try to find a sensible, middle way. We all have to do what feels comfortable and right for us. Good luck with the project .
__________________ From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. |
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07-11-2007, 11:14 PM
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__________________ My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE) |
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10-11-2007, 09:05 PM
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| If you're squeamish about squishing bugs with your bare hands, then don a pair of rubber gloves (Marigolds or the thinner disposable latex ones). The mushiest, horriblest ones to get rid of are aphids (greenfly, blackfly etc), but they do come off well. Squish as many as you can, and you can always use a soapy water spray to get rid of the rest. |
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10-11-2007, 09:10 PM
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11-11-2007, 11:13 AM
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I'm the same!! just the thought of thouse icky bugs!! I just do not do ANYTHING in the garden with gloves on... i have a HUGE worm phobia  ... ( I know.. i know.. too wierd! ) and i run screaming when i see one.. the idea of even touching with fills me with terror... and as for all those other nasties!!!I didn't know about schooshing them with soapy water!!  do i just use washing up liquid and some water in a spray bottle??
__________________ Cyanara |
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11-11-2007, 12:10 PM
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| At last a fellow wormaphobic!! I really thought I was the only one! Yes, a bit of washing up liquid (I use ecover) in water and squirt it on - gets rid of the greenfly a treat |
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11-11-2007, 12:33 PM
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i'll be walking along quite the thing and suddenly i'll be hopping and jumping and squealing and screaming all because some little wriggly worm has crossed my path!I'm glad you suggested Ecover... i would have just used fairy antibacterial!!! Ecover at least seems to be the healthier/green (?!?) option!!
__________________ Cyanara |
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11-11-2007, 02:54 PM
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LOL!!! there is a joke in there.... Why are women called "birds".......???? Becuase women are always picking up worms!
__________________ Cyanara |
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11-11-2007, 06:59 PM
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| Nope - you are just being weedy girlies! Worms are your friendies who do the winter digging for you and are to be encouraged and cosseted and spoken to with soothing words.... .....now SLUGS on the other had - jus' call me a squealing girly....!
__________________ Hazel www.hazelandjanesallotment.blogspot.com update Tues 02/12/2008......End of year report!..... |
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11-11-2007, 07:05 PM
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| I am grateful to the worms for what they do but that doesn't mean i want to cuddle them slugs are simple - sprinkle the pellets! very tempted to not be at all organic next year and to spray all my brassicas to make sure there will be no bugs in them when i come to eat them - its either that or i will grow only root veggies and peas! |
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11-11-2007, 07:19 PM
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| Putting soapy water on the soil brings the worms to the top! I know because when I intend doing a bit of trout fishing I just need water the lawn with a two gallon watering can of water with a bit of washing up liquid added and the worms come out of the lawn like a rocket! Giving me enough bait for a days fishing!Another useless bit of information from my armoury!
__________________ My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE) |