Your comments and tips

10 Jul 09, Rhonda (Australia - temperate climate)

I had a hose, about 6cm diameter, cut it into lengths of about 20 cms, put one over each plant. Hope that this will work for the "blanching". What do you think Chris.?

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25 Jul 09, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hey Rhonda, let us know how your hose blanching goes! I just pile up mulch.

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12 Oct 09, Maureen (Australia - temperate climate)

I have some Leeks growing at the moment and they have a round ball shape at the top of the plant is this usual

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22 Nov 09, Vicki (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Wash, chop and steam the green leaves of the leek for a tasty side dish to chicken/fish/meat and mash potatoes. You can also saute the chopped leaves in butter or add them to soups and stews. Delicious!

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13 Dec 09, Evelyn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

I grew leeks for the first time and harvested the first one yesterday. It was flowering and it was the leek with the thickest stem. I must have done something terribly wrong as the stem was very hard and difficult to cut. Almost like cutting into a piece of bamboo. I did not cover the stems (blanching?) with soil but let them grow normally - maybe I should have done something different. Any advice.

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30 Dec 09, Demeter (New Zealand - temperate climate)

Same. I think I planted them too late last summer and now have gone to seed and virtually inedible. Planting more now.

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30 Dec 09, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Evelyn, once leeks start to flower they are completely inedible. You need to harvest them well before they grow the flower stem as it is very woody. You shouldn't need to cover the stems, but I would harvest them as soon as they reach an edible size (a couple of centimetres in diameter).

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02 Jan 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

All is not lost if your leek goes to flower - You can eat the flower stem, just cook it like asparagus. I've never tried eating the leek flowers, but spring onion flowers can be a yummy addition to salad - I just pick a few 'petals' when they have the nectar in them (sweet and oniony flavour) and add to salad or garnish.

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11 Jan 10, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Thanks very much for the tips Chris, Demeter and Barb. The variety sounded so nice too - a French one called Jaune du Poitou. Next year I will give it another try. One positive thing the flowers are beautiful and the bees love them.

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20 Jan 10, elisa (Australia - temperate climate)

i planted leeks about august last year, of the 7 that were planted only one grew to a decent size, the others are still in there but no where near ready to pull. why would this be, could i have planted them too close together or was i just too late in planting?

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