We have joined the Gro-Sure Challenge!

The Levis leek seed we have just sown were particularly easy to plant because:

• the seed have a clay or polymer coating making them larger and easier to handle than the normal tiny seeds – & they don’t blow about!
• seeds are coated blue – easy to see & easy to space in the row.

It was such a relief to have a stress-free leek sowing session that I took another look at the packet. They came in a Gro-sure packet so I decided to look Gro-Sure up to see what it meant– I am usually more sceptical of gimmicks!

 Apparently, Gro-sure seeds have been selected to provide:

• high germination
• disease resistance
• increased yields
• high quality
• longer flowering periods
• less bolting

If Gro-sure seeds fail to please, you get your money back!

The Gro-sure Challenge involves “trying Unwins Gro-sure seeds and seeing what great results you can achieve”!   There are monthly prizes to be won – so we have joined the Gro-sure challenge & here’s hoping!

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For the first year ever, our leeks have rust disease.  Have you any advise for the prevention of this disease for next season?  Also is it OK to eat the parts of the leeks that aren’t affected by the rust, i.e. the white part?
 
Would appreciate your comments

bandit-cleaned-leek

TopVeg answered:

We are sorry to hear about your rust problems on leeks.  How bad is it?  Mild symptoms do not render the crop inedible – we just cut the affected leaves off before cooking.  The white bit will be fine.
 
There are several rust resistant leek varieties, such as Bandit. 

Bandit-leeks-growing

Causes of leek rust are:

• * crowded plants
  * high humidity
  * excessive soil nitrogen
  * insufficient soil potassium
  * poor garden hygiene – all plant debris must be removed from the beds so that the fungus has nowhere to hide.  Burn effected leaves rather than putting them on the compost heap, just in case the heap does not heat up enough to destroy the spores.

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• folic acid
• potassium
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C.

Leeks contain sulphur-rich compounds which have been shown to thin the blood, reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Click this link to find the nutritional value/100 grams raw leek.

leek-dug-Pandora

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Bandit-leeks-growing

We have been harvesting Bandit leeks since Christmas & they are  still providing the kitchen with very tasty vegetables.  Bandit survived the very cold, snowy weather and not one plant has bolted.

Leek-Bandit-in-ground

Characteristics of Leek – Bandit F1 Hybrid:

• crops : November-April
• winter hardy
• rarely bolts
• rust resistant
• dark green leaves
• pure white, thick stems
• excellent flavour

bandit-cleaned-leek

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Early season  leeks are lifted by placing a fork under the roots. The roots hold
on tightly and the stem easily snaps off, if a fork is not used to loosen the roots.

Late leeks have a stronger stem and can be pulled, giving a slight twist to break the roots, so most of the root clump & soil stay in the ground.

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leek-patch-February

We have an abundance of leeks in the vegetable garden, so this leek soup recipe is being much enjoyed!

Ingredients

• 2 leeks – washed & sliced (about 10oz)
• 2 potatoes – peeled & sliced (about 10oz)
• 3 rashers lean & chopped bacon (about 5oz)
• 1 pint stock
• 1/2 pint milk
• freshly ground pepper

cooking-leek-soup

Method:

• gently cook the bacon, leeks and potatoes until the leeks are soft, but not coloured
• add the stock and simmer until the potatoes are tender
• liquidise
• return to the pan and add the milk
• serve when hot

Click the links below to buy the  recipe books which show you how to cook what you grow:

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Leeks are a truly versatile vegetable:

• milder, sweeter flavour than onions
• smooth texture similar to asparagus

prizewinner-leeks

Our leeks will see us through the winter- we have several months supply left in the ground.  They seem particularly delicious this year, and the hard, frosty weather has not hurt them at all.

close-spaced-leeks

A recipe for leek soup:

Ingredients

• 2 leeks – washed & sliced (about 10oz)
• 2 potatoes – peeled & sliced (about 10oz)
• 3 rashers lean & chopped bacon (about 5oz)
• 1 pint stock
• 1/2 pint milk
• freshly ground pepper

cooking-leek-soup

Method:

• gently cook the bacon, leeks and potatoes until the leeks are soft, but not coloured
• add the stock and simmer until the potatoes are tender
• liquidise
• return to the pan and add the milk
• serve when hot

Click this link for recipes showing how to cook leeks.

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Leeks-February

This year we spaced the leeks 20cm apart in the row – quite close – and they look well.

close-spaced-leeks

Growing leeks closer together produces something like a mini-leek.

leeks---prizewinner

The leeks do not grow huge, and they are better to eat.  We prefer a medium sized leek to a coarse giant one.

prizewinner-leeks

.There are several advantages of narrow spacing for leeks:

• increases production per square meter
• produces a smaller leek
• ideal for small families
• fresh leeks every meal – instead of eating half one day & eating the other half after storing in the fridge

Planting leeks with narrow spacing has been well worthwhile.

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To grow baby/mini leeks:

• space close together in the row
• sow in a small garden, an allotment, or in containers on the patio
• liquid feed weekly if grown in a container
• harvest 16–20 weeks after sowing, when still young,tender and full of flavour
• use immediately, as mini veg do not store well
• make successive sowings throughout the growing season for a continual supply.

leek-seedlings

Baby/Mini Leek Varieties

King Richard

• A very early, high yielding, mild flavoured leek with extra long, slim stalks

Swiss Giant Evita

• A fast-growing, high-yielding variety with long straight shanks

Baby Jolant

• A vigorous, very early cropping variety giving high density stems with a mild flavour

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The leeks were grown from seed and transplanted into the leek bed in early July.

Leek-harvested

The edible parts of the leek are the white base and the light green stalk.

Leeks qualify as a super food because:

• leeks lower blood pressure & maintain a healthy heart and circulation
• leeks contain prebiotics, which are essential for probiotics to thrive in the gut
• leeks stabilise blood sugar levels because they are high in folate, manganese, iron, vitamin C & B6
• leeks contain the antioxidant Quercetin, which protects against cancer
• leeks boost the immune system.

TopVeg has grown Pandora, for mid-season, and Musselborough & Autumn Giant for a late winter crop. Leeks are a true super-food which can be grown in the vegetable garden throughout the winter.

fresh-leek

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