Spring 2010

The flooding rains of the last few weeks have caused spring to erupt from the landscape. I guess it's March showers bring April flowers. Ahh, global warming.
It was warm enough a few weekends ago to start some spring seeds - carrots, bibb lettuce, spinach and leeks. These were all from last year's seeds, so I don't know how well they will do. I covered the planting with newspaper to keep the cats and birds out. Then it rained and rained. A few seedlings have emerged.
I also started broccoli seeds in paper pots inside. These have just popped out.
The strawberries and raspberries are coming in nicely.
Even some parsley managed to survive the winter. I wonder if that bodes well for the rosemary making it too!

Growing leeks from seed part 5

The leeks were painfully slow to get started, but they are growing rapidly now - almost twice as thick as they were 2 weeks ago.

I continue to mound the dirt around their stems - hoping to increase the white areas at the bottom of the plants which is the best for eating.

The leeks have been disease free and haven't been bothered by any pests. The only drawback to growing leeks is that they take their sweet time. Leeks are not a fast-growing crop!

Growing leeks from seed part 4

These better be the best vegetables ever, because they are taking for ever. The leeks are now about as fat as my fat little finger. At the rate they're growing, I might have some skinny leeks by the end of September. Add to that the fact that I only have about 12 in the 3 square foot space, and I'm not feeling like the leeks have worked out this year.

Growing leeks from seed part 3

Leeks started indoors in early March. Here they are at 18 weeks. They are finally beginning to look like leeks and are a little fatter than a pencil. Onion varities are a good addition to the garden since they deter a lot of pests, but so far leeks have been slow and painful. In another 3-4 months, I think they could get there.

Growing leeks from seed part 2

Growing leeks from seed has turned out to be a tedious venture. These leeks were started indoors in early March. Here they are 14 weeks - finally starting to add some girth!

The ones that I direct sowed in the garden in early April are even smaller - barely more than a blade of grass!!!

I have been feeding them every other week with Neptune's Harvest, and the regular feeding has really helped.

I have maybe 12-14 more weeks before there is a frost in Boston. I wonder if the leeks will be ready before then....

Growing leeks from seed

These leeks were started indoors in early March. Here they are about 10 weeks old in the garden. Not as fat as chives yet. These may need to spend the winter in the garden before they're ready to eat.

See how the leeks are growing.