Leeks

Nutty_Tart

Hello,

I was very fortunate enough to obtain an allotment towards the end of last year :j.

I am still in the process of weeding/turning over etc, but am doing a bed at a time and getting there very slowly!

Could someone help me with my leeks please? I transplanted them in some time ago, but they seem to have developed a 'ball' type growth at the top. I think it may be a seed ball?, but I can't seem to find any reference to it any of my books? Do I need to chop them off at the top, or are they OK to leave?

(I am still working on my potatoe bed - the potatoes are still chitting in the garage - I won't be digging them up until christmas at this rate :rotfl:)

Thank-you in advance for any advice,
NT xx

Lotus-eater

They've gone to seed, the ball is the seed pod.

Unusual if they have all gone, when did you sow them?

This may help.
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/grapevine/allotment-advice/my-leeks-seeding-help_39872.html

I believe you can cut the leeks down to the base and they will regrow anew.
I have done this one or two times myself.

frazzbo

Lotus-eater wrote: »

I believe you can cut the leeks down to the base and they will regrow anew.
I have done this one or two times myself.

Ooh really? I pulled up a leek at the weekend because it had a seed ball in it - the leek itself was still quite small but the biggest looking one we had, so I was disappointed to have to pull it up. I'll perhaps try that if another of them starts to seed.

My baby leek didn't go to waste though, I made a nice leek and bacon quiche with it. I just wish I could have chickens to produce my own eggs, then it'd have been even better! I think it's probably completely unrealistic to have my own pig for its bacon though!!

Nutty_Tart

Thank-you Lotus-eater,

I will cut them next time I go up there.

NTxx

Lotus-eater

Yep, here's a thread where more people have done it.
I found out about it, by pulling leeks up and leaving the roots in the ground, they just regrew.

Dustykitten

I always leave a few of my leeks to go to seed as the bumblebees loves them.

zarazara

I love leek seed heads,beautiful purple globes,and leave them to set seed then collect in autumn. Free seeds for sowing for next year.