I know you're all going to be excited by the forthcoming leeks feature in the August issue, but as you all know a feature is only one person's opinion and I want all yours...
What are the best varieties, growing conditions, hints, tips and even recipes for these stalwart veggies?
On a personal note, I have bought a pack of (boring but reliable) Musselbrough seeds... is it too late to sow for a late autumn crop?
My favourite leeks are Jolant, which I believe has replaced my previous favourite King Richard. They are long and slim with a huge amount of white compared to some varieties.
For a pot leek I am a fan of St Victor which stands well (my last couple have only just gone to seed) and has fabulous purple leaves.
Chantal
I know this corner of the earth, it smiles for me...
I grow a few varieties but do like Carantan, again it ha purple leaves when it is very cold, They have stood very well and have maybe one more pick this weekend before the last few run to seed. Others I use are Musselbrough, St Victor, Argenta and Porvite
I sow in succession in 3 litre pots before planting out into dibbed holes when big enough to handle. I dot trim the roots or the leaves as some do. I do earth up the stems a little if I have time.
The bed is feed with fish blood and bone and I give a dressing of wood ash mid summer if I have any to hand. I don’t want too much soft leaf growth as I do suffer from rest and mildew on my site even if I space the plants well.
For cooking we either simply steam them or fry in butter. Otherwise it is partly steam them and then into the oven with cheese sauce over the top. For small ones we wrap the leek stem in parma ham or good dry cured bacon and roast in the oven….very nice.
Great vegetable over the winter, would not be without them.
Jerry
Farmers son looking to get back to the land full time one day.....
Jolant and Musselbrough here. We love leeks, especially in soup and quiches. They also make a great salad, mixed with peas and cheese and a little mayonnaise.
Does anyone know if sowing dates make any difference in preventing attack of the dreaded leek moth? My leeks have been infested with this the last two years and although the two varieties I grow,Musselburgh and Natan,have pulled round by autumn the yield is down.
I like my leeks plain steamed or as leek and potato soup(heavy on the garlic!).They are also good chopped in chunks in a chicken casserole.
Leek moths?! Being new to gardening, I'm having a bit of a day of discovering a fascinating variety of new pests / diseases... first clubroot, now this... (Don't suppose I can get an anti-virus for a garden can I? )
Well, tonight Trousers and me are having a 'Denis Cotter gratin dish, from his Paradiso Seasons Cookbook': Gratin of roast pumpkin, leeks, sweetcorn and hazelnuts, with a Gabriel cheese cream.
(Made it with butternut squash, Musselburgh leeks and JB's Incredible sweetcorn last year and then stuck it all in the freezer.... until today !) Mmmm!
Mr. PH, just to give you a taster of why the magazine should promote this inspirational cookbook, here are a few more of his Leek Recipe Titles to whet your appetite:
- Black Bean, Aubergine & Leek Chilli with polenta gnocchi & Lime Soured Cream
- Celeriac, Leek & Rosemary Soup with a hot pepper salsa
- Corn Pancakes of Leek, Parsnip & Gabriel Cheese with a cherry tomato-fennel salsa
- Leek & Blue Cheese tartlet with roasted cherry tomatoes
- Purple Sprouting Broccoli with dried tomatoes & garlic on a corn pancake of leeks and puy lentils
- Risotto of Leeks, Butternut Squash & Sage with pumpkinseed oil and braised lentils
- Roasted leeks with a lemon, ginger & pinenut marinade
Inspirational or what ! And I've made and tried them all, so can recommend them first hand, which is why I've probably put on a few pounds over the last year or so !!!
Look forward to the Leeky issue in August...
Lol
Wellie
I only wish that postings like this were done far ahead of publication dates. Too many articles have blunders in them but are published as definitive. Andrew Tokley is a main offender, Re. his info on peas, he totally missed any mention of pre-sowing e.g. modules, gutter etc. yet this has been discussed thoroughly on the forum and most contributors grow their peas that way. It's high time the mag. took more notice of what is said on the Forum.
A professional works because he has to, an amateur because he wants to, which is the more dedicated?
No 'expert' knows all the answers to everything, nor in many aspects of gardening is there only one way to achieve a result.
Allan
Surely though, many professionals make it their jobs because of 'amateur' passions... and let us not forget that many professionals spend time, energy and money developing their skills in a way that amateur simply can't.
By the way, the 'leeks' article is coming out in the August issue - and so is currently in production! This is your chance folks, give us all your tips, and perhaps (but this is not a promise) some of them will make the magazine!
by the forthcoming leeks feature in the August issue, but as you all know a feature is only one person's opinion and I want all yours...
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