15 Oct - First Leeks Of The Season

The weather has been a bit wet for the past week with heavy rain showers, often prolonged. Temperatures have still been relatively decent, hovering around 14-16C during the day and there hasn't been any frost so far.

I've been checking my Musselburgh leeks weekly for leek moth and allium leaf miner. Both these pests have increased in recent years to the point where leeks only thrive on my site when protected by enviromesh or horticultural fleece. Thankfully, by early November, the threat is over and the mesh can come off allowing the plants to benefit from a little extra light during the shorter days.

I sowed my Musselburgh leeks in a tray at the start of February 2014 (picture from 3rd Feb post) and they were planted out in early July – quite a long process but, leeks are worth it. It’s still a thrill to dig up my first leeks at this time of year and the plants will continue to stand well through the wet and cold of Winter when there is little to take from the plot except brassicas.

The leeks are already of a good size, quite surprising as they caught allium rust from the garlic when they were in their tray and I nearly didn't plant them out. The old variety Musselburgh is such an excellent leek and is worth growing year after year, you can take it from October to April. (Below - first leek of the season).

The Winter cabbages, Ormskirk Savoy, are now developing hearts. They have benefited from the removal of the nets and a liquid feed. It's nice to see them as there isn't too much on the plot now - Winter cabbages, leeks, Brussels Sprouts, Swiss Chard, parsnips and swede - though I've all manner of veg sliced and diced in the freezer and loads of squash, onions and a few potatoes in storage (not to mention the wine).

That's it for this little update - things are slowing down on the plot now, though there is still weeding and tidying to do - as always. Bye for now.