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| Introduction |
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Leeks are a cool season crop, and grow best
below 24 C (75 F) but they will tolerate
higher temperatures if kept well watered,
they range from early to hardy to late and
very hardy. |
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They are biennials grown as annuals, they
reach 18ins in height & 6ins across, the
edible part is the thick white shank that's
below the blue/green leaves known as flags
by those gardeners who show them, they may
be blanched by earthing up or deep planting.
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Preparing
the bed for Kale |
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Leeks need a long growing season, start
them early as possible in the year, sowing
in succession, sow in a seedbed and transplant
or sow them were they are to grow and thin
out, thin or transplant at the three leave
stage, for well blanched stems make a hole
6-8ins deep with a dibber made from an old
spade handle, drop in a seedling and fill
with water making sure the roots reach the
bottom of the hole, ( I trim my leeks roots
& tops by a third before planting, so the
roots reach the bottom of the hole and the
leaves don't lay on the soil which may cause
rotting. ) Leeks respond well to being sown
in modules with up to four seeds per cell,
plant out the groups of seedlings with a
9ins spacing. |
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Sowing
and planting |
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Thin seedling to 3-4 inches apart
in the rows, they are ready to plant out
when they are 5 inches high. Water the rows
the day before planting, plant firmly with
lower leaves just above ground level,
space plants 18 inches apart. The Rape Kale
varieties are sown were they will grow to
maturity, sow in rows 18ins apart drills
½ ins deep thinning to 18ins between plants.
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Looking
after the crop |
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Keep well watered until the leeks are well
established, then only water in dry conditions,
keep the beds weed free by regular hoeing.
Mulch to retain moisture. |
| Harvesting
the crop |
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Leeks may be harvested 16-20 weeks after
sowing, but they can stand for many
months, and can be lifted when required,
Leeks don't store well when out of the
ground. If you need the ground you can
dig them up and heel them in somewhere
else till needed.
Tomatoes
Brussels Sprouts
Cauliflower
Kale
Garlic
What are Western Brassicas ?
Month by month diary on jobs to do
Allotment Preparation
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