Leeks

[4pygmies]

I have grown them very often MrsB. There are so many different varieties these days. Sometimes I get seed from my friend the leek grower - they are specialist wholesale ones which have different maturing times, rust resistance and which tend to grow slightly bigger etc. I can't tell the difference but he can!

[debbiem]

We're starting with the Musselburgh ones and see where we end up a few years down the line. ;D
OH has had an allotment before and is infuriating when we're down there with his 'expertise' - I hope he calms down and gives us a chance to find things out for ourselves. Hopefully he won't know too much about leeks.......... :

[4pygmies]

Did you get much clearing done? It's extremely hard work isn't it?
Men always know more than us on allotments...I think they believe it's in their genes..I got really fed up with being 'advised' when I had my lottie. I think they all thought it was a vegetable growing virgin, instead of having about 25 years of doing it! One old chap had only been growing vegetables since he'd retired the previous years and dispensed all sorts of doom and gloom to me every time we were both up there. He was lovely bloke but I had to grit my teeth quite often.....not one of them ever asked me if I'd grown anything before!

[Sweetleaf]

4pygmies said:

Did you get much clearing done? It's extremely hard work isn't it?
Men always know more than us on allotments...I think they believe it's in their genes..I got really fed up with being 'advised' when I had my lottie. I think they all thought it was a vegetable growing virgin, instead of having about 25 years of doing it! One old chap had only been growing vegetables since he'd retired the previous years and dispensed all sorts of doom and gloom to me every time we were both up there. He was lovely bloke but I had to grit my teeth quite often.....not one of them ever asked me if I'd grown anything before!

I have the opposite going on, people get sent to me for advice and I often have to go and look at their plants/plots and try to be positive. :

[4pygmies]

This must be because you exude confidence and knowledge whereas I obviously look like a fumbling old woman! Never mind, now I'm back in my own garden I can grow what I like, where I like and when I like. And I much prefer it that way ;D

[debbiem]

4pygmies said:

Did you get much clearing done? It's extremely hard work isn't it?
Men always know more than us on allotments...I think they believe it's in their genes..I got really fed up with being 'advised' when I had my lottie. I think they all thought it was a vegetable growing virgin, instead of having about 25 years of doing it! One old chap had only been growing vegetables since he'd retired the previous years and dispensed all sorts of doom and gloom to me every time we were both up there. He was lovely bloke but I had to grit my teeth quite often.....not one of them ever asked me if I'd grown anything before!

I laid down the law to OH last night - that daughters and I are NOT just faffing around the allotment while OH does all the good bits, and that after hours of clearing while OH is doing the 'serious' bits I don't appreciate being told that when OH gets round to getting his hedgetrimmer up there it'll be gone in no time....etc etc. Do you know what I mean? You're dead right 4P, like you say, all the advice is well-meaning but........grrr.....

[4pygmies]

I know exactly what you mean! Double GRRR on your behalf!

PS I shall post that book today - there was a huge queue of little old ladies yesterday - they do like to chat to the postie........ ;D It can take HOURS to buy a stamp then......

[debbiem]

Lovely, thanks! But if there's another queue of old ladies today please don't wait for ages, just pick a time when they've usually dissipated. ;D

[karenwl]

Im having a try this year and im doing Mussleborough if im successfull i will be asking for a recipe for Leek and Potato soup ;D.

Karen