Last of the Leeks and Compost

Thanks for the info Sjoerd. Do you leave the plastic up around the bin as shown in the first picture, and is that a hollyhock seedling at the corner of the bin?

 

Yes Cajunbelle...I leave the black plastic on all year round. and the seedling is a Malva (a purple one). He gad to join the compost contents.

 

I, like Palm, had just started gardening, and probably didn't give them rich enough soil and proper food. Love your compost post!

 

They should be planted deeply as well, y'know Droopy.
Did you use a dibber to make the hole?

 

I can't remember, it was 20+ years ago...

 

20 years ago....why you musta been a mere child.

 

Hey , see what Stew does for a person. I sure am happy to be a stewbie. We always learn something. THanks for the deep planting tip Sjoerd.

 

Palm Tree... I wanted to tell you what I ment by deep planting:

--What I do is dig a trench the depth of one spade.

--I make the bottom of the trench flat (so that the dirt doesn't fall in on the plants too early).

--In the bottom of the flat-bottomed trench, I use a dibber and make a hole for the plantlet (at least 2 fingers in diameter). I put a pinch of dried cow pellets or bone meal in the bottom of the hole and pour in water. Then leave it for at least a week, watering the hole every day.
If you want to grow them for show, then a 12 inch piece of plastic piping can be shoved into the hole ...you can pull this upwards little by little as the plants grows if you want.

--When it's time to plant the prei, then you pour water into the hole, and then just drop the plantlet in. Add no dirt or anything else at this time.

--As the plant grows then rake some of the dirt on the sides of the trench inwards, filling the trench a little at the time.
*Take care never to cover the 'grow point' of the leek with soil.

-- I give blood meal and manure tea throughout the growing season (about every 3 weeks).

This worked for me. If you do it this way, let me know how it goes, ok?

 

THis is so much more illuminating. Thank you Sjoerd.
I never did all of that preparation when I planted my leeks first time around.
I will know better now. I will have to print out this post and put it in my garden file so I can refer to it when I am outside in the garden.
WE also call leeks Preie.

 

Sjoerd! You have been busy as a bee!!! The leeks are beautiful, and I always look forward to your posts! Soak those muscles . . .

Glendann: I have never tried leeks either, but will try them soon, now that I have an idea of how to prepare them. . . (Thanks Trudy!!!)