growing leeks the easy way

[veggiechicken]

What other annual veggies can you take a 2nd crop from before they have to be discarded? Or which veggies are dual purpose where you can eat the leaves and roots or seedpods? In a small garden you could increase productivity in this way and I'm all for that! Recommendations invited!!

[Snadger]

What other annual veggies can you take a 2nd crop from before they have to be discarded? Or which veggies are dual purpose where you can eat the leaves and roots or seedpods? In a small garden you could increase productivity in this way and I'm all for that! Recommendations invited!!

F1 hybrid seeds are expensive. I cut crosses in the top of the cut portion of my Sweetheart cabbages once I harvest them. They will throw up another four small sweetheart heads before the end of the season if you're lucky. It works with other brassicas as well....but not all.

[zazen999]

I think that what happens Zaz is that the leek usually grows a couple of 'king pods' similar to giant onion sets at the base of the flowering stem which grow to form new leeks.. This is probably a genetic 'belt and braces' reaction and means if the seed hasn't set or the flower stem is broken off, at least it will re populate itself to a lesser degree.
What you are then harvesting is the leek from the king pods, but you have to be quick because they to will run to seed quite quickly to give the leek a second chance at seeding.

Clever things these leeks!

No - the leek just regenerates from the centre again. Honest.

[Snadger]

No - the leek just regenerates from the centre again. Honest.

Ok..........I never argue with a woman!

[zazen999]

Ok..........I never argue with a woman!

Eh up - is this a new rule?

[Florence Fennel]

No it's a man with a bit of common sense Zaz (rare though it be), he knows he'll not win.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Eh up - is this a new rule?

It's called self preservation