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I just thought I'd post an update on my trial method of growing leeks.
Last year, I visited an Amish community, and their methods of growing leeks [and other crops] were to grow in groups of 8 long beds [no sides, just rotavated and mulched] - half a field long!
They were harvesting leeks when I visited, and the way they grew them was not all dibbed in neatly - it was basically 'all in' with the leeks so close that they would push themselves apart. The crop was harvested by digging up a chunk at a time, as they have hundreds of people to feed in one serving.....
So, last year, I put a bed aside and basically - dug out a trench and when I put the leeks in, I put them in and then backfilled the trench as I went. None of this dibbing in, although to get the leeks as deep as possible I did pull the roots off after about 3mm.
I harvested a shovel full today and
Yes - they did all grow to a good size [even though I was late sowing them last year]
Yes, they were much easier to harvest as I just started at one end and I'll work through the trench over the next few weeks
Yes - they were good - really crisp when sliced and the same great taste as usual.
These were from my home saved seeds, so it made it extra special
I have still got my neatly placed out leeks to harvest but might do a side by side trial this year and try to get [for example] 10 times the amount in the same space and see the difference next year - but I was surprised as the leeks in the middle of the trench were actually bigger than the ones on the outside, perhaps the shelter from the ones to each side ups the temp a bit or they like the challenge? Who knows!
Last year, I visited an Amish community, and their methods of growing leeks [and other crops] were to grow in groups of 8 long beds [no sides, just rotavated and mulched] - half a field long!
They were harvesting leeks when I visited, and the way they grew them was not all dibbed in neatly - it was basically 'all in' with the leeks so close that they would push themselves apart. The crop was harvested by digging up a chunk at a time, as they have hundreds of people to feed in one serving.....
So, last year, I put a bed aside and basically - dug out a trench and when I put the leeks in, I put them in and then backfilled the trench as I went. None of this dibbing in, although to get the leeks as deep as possible I did pull the roots off after about 3mm.
I harvested a shovel full today and
Yes - they did all grow to a good size [even though I was late sowing them last year]
Yes, they were much easier to harvest as I just started at one end and I'll work through the trench over the next few weeks
Yes - they were good - really crisp when sliced and the same great taste as usual.
These were from my home saved seeds, so it made it extra special
I have still got my neatly placed out leeks to harvest but might do a side by side trial this year and try to get [for example] 10 times the amount in the same space and see the difference next year - but I was surprised as the leeks in the middle of the trench were actually bigger than the ones on the outside, perhaps the shelter from the ones to each side ups the temp a bit or they like the challenge? Who knows!
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