Dig my leeks & parsnips - Claire's Allotment part 91

[Daisypie101]

how long does it take from sowing till harvest?

[clairesallotment]

@Daisypie101 Parsnips you sow in Feb/March time in the soil straight in the soil, and they're ready from mid November onwards. They need to have a few frosts before you dig them up, but they can be left in the ground and dig up as and when you need them. Leeks you sow in March under cover and plant out April/May time when they're about 6 inches tall, and harvest from September onwards. Again dig up as and when you need them. They both don't mind snow.

[Daisypie101]

hi cliare i love your vids i'm just thinking can u grow parsnips in june?

hope u comment

[clairesallotment]

@Daisypie101 No it's too late to sow Parsnips in June. They need the cold weather to germinate, wait until Feb/ March next year.

[DIYJohn100]

just started watching your video's, finding them very good and useful.

this is first year having a allotment. hoping to see lot's more tips

[clairesallotment]

@DIYJohn100 Glad you find them useful. Hope you have a great first year. Welcome to the allotment club.

[webkey1234]

My name is Thomas by the way. and im from brainy Oxfordshire lol.

[clairesallotment]

Hi Thomas, nice to meet you.

[webkey1234]

yesterday i couldnt get munure but glory came and dropped off compost from our local graveyard so i put loads of it on top of the soil. was this the write thing to do? im hoping that it will bring a bit of nutrients to the soil

[clairesallotment]

It was compost and not decomposed dead people? Either would be great for the garden. Putting it on the soil is no problem at all. When you plant seeds give the compost a little forking in. We saw an old church once for sale in the paper with a graveyard, some people wouldn't want to live there, but think of all the goodness in the soil for the plants. We'd have bought it if we had the money.

[webkey1234]

Hi Claire... I have just dug 4 new beds at my allotment. because there new beds do i haved to put hardy veg in them because i left it a bit late to dig the new beds

[clairesallotment]

Welcome to the allotment life, it's hard but very rewarding. Potatoes are the best vegetables for putting in newly dug soil, but as long as you're on top of the weeds then you can grow anything really. For carrots and parsnips make sure there are very few stones and the soil is quite fine otherwise you'll have some wonderfully crooked veg at harvest time.

[BGgardenLive]

I am totally going to try some of these this spring in my garden zone 5 USA.

Great to meet you... can't wait to follow you this spring planting!

[clairesallotment]

The leeks were great last year, and have a more delicate flavour than onions. Also they don't make you cry when you cut them. I've got so many parsnips I won't have to plant any this year. It's the best year I've ever had for them, some of them are huge.

[webkey1234]

my grandad always say dont bother with peas thay are a fiddly and dont get that much out of them...... is this true

[clairesallotment]

They are quite fiddly but I just love popping the pods and eating the fresh peas straight away. My kids love popping them too. Mangetout are very similar, but I seem to get more than enough from either. I think it's a person preference. They're great for a first time grower as they look great and don't take too long.

[webkey1234]

Hey Clair.. when are you going to start the new season. because i cant wait till your films come back

[clairesallotment]

The first veg I'll plant this year is Broad Beans and that'll be in February.

[59acres]

Great vids Claire.I'm guessing you've had just about enough of frost by now lol.Good luck from a fellow gardener in Canada.

[clairesallotment]

Roll on Spring. We haven't had such a cold winter for about 20 years. I'm sure your weather is far colder. I've an Auntie who lives in Canada, so we keep an eye on the weather, -24 they had it one night over Christmas. Brrrrr!!

[neild1]

Why cant we pull them out?? if there going in the pot for soups then why worry about pulling them? p.s. love your vids chuck

[clairesallotment]

@neild1 If you pull them out, the chances of them coming out whole are quite slim. You'll have to dig deep for the parsnip end. Ease them out gently, it's much kinder on the plant. Anyway it's enjoyable finding the longest one.

[kadocooper]

Thankyou claire i have been inspired by you i got some great veg last year after watching you. Looking forward to 2010.

[clairesallotment]

Glad you had a great year last year, try 1 new vegetable this year. Have a great year.

[1fanger]

One bit of advice on the leeks I ran across in the book `Crockett`s Victory Garden`- make sure the soil they are planted in a totally free of any stones. Take a heavy steel rod and jam it into the soil to about 1 foot deep, rotate it so the hole is cone shaped, backfill with sifted soil, then sow a parsnip seed on top. They will grow into a perfect parsnip.

[clairesallotment]

A few of my leeks have come out a lovely bent shape because they hit a stone. I've had a several legged parsnip to. They taste great the funny shaped ones. I'm not going in for any competitions, so I like odd shaped veg.

[twinsane1998]

Great video again Claire. We've got our plot now so are really looking forward to following along with you next year. All the best for the coming holidays and see you in spring! x

[clairesallotment]

Hope the allotment is going well. Have a great sowing year. Let me know how you get on.

[jenRWfan]

Good Job as usual Claire,

do you freeze the leaks as they are, or blanch them first?

[powerspade]

Very nice parsnips, I have a good crop this year too. My Leeks ???? oh dear lost the lot by some pest never mind there`s aleays next year. Thnxs for your videos I really enjoy them. Happy Christmas and a great next year on the plot

[clairesallotment]

Never mind about the leeks, last year mine were very spindly. Hope you are enjoying your harvest. Happy Christmas to you too, and see you next year.

[nehketah1978]

beautiful harvest

[wdcantrell]

Claire - Thanks so much for your videos! They are all entertaining and full of useful information. 5 Stars! Hope you have a great winter and I will look forward to your 2010 videos...

Wade

[clairesallotment]

Glad you find them useful. See you next year.

[jihadacadien]

I though the leaves would look like carrots. Those looked really nice..I wonder why they are not on my list of things to grow!?

[clairesallotment]

They are so easy to grow. Parsnips take a while to come through in the soil, but once they get going there's no stopping them. The leeks take a little time when replanting which can be time consuming, but they look after themselves as well. I like nice easy crops.

[kokonutbaby1]

Hi Claire, stunning pink boots, lol..wish I had found that color! haha..lovely leeks! mine are a bit thin still but will keep an eye on them..did not do parsnips this yr but yours look wonderful..hope u have a lovely holiday season & cant wait for your 2010 vids! Got my little kitchen winter garden going in the house, Jalapenos are blossoming! Lights are working great! Got 3 apple seeds sprouted out of 9 so far leafing out in the window sill..fun growing stuff!! Im addicted! TY 4 all u do!-Angie

[clairesallotment]

Last years Christmas pressie from my hubby. Got a special t-shirt this year, I'll show on the first film of this year. The wellies are "Hunter" ones, not cheap, but they're very comfortable. Hope you had a great Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

[dinnycash]

all your vids are great welldone

[clairesallotment]

You're very kind.

[sandydogy]

like the pink wellies lol! thanks for posting!

[clairesallotment]

Last years Christmas pressie from my hubby. This year he got me a special t-shirt, will wear on the first video of this year.

[sandydogy]

my father has an allotment me I just make boxes out of old pallets and grow green beans etc, I have never had much success with mushrooms, I even grew Tabacco for a laugh and was amazed just how many plants I got from just a few tiny seeds. Its the pleasure of looking at something and thinking I put the work in and got pleasure out of reaping the rewards

[clairesallotment]

@sandydogy Never tried tobacco before. Don't think I will, I've no use for it anyway. The Council may object anyway. That's the whole point of gardening, it's fun and the rewards you get at the end are priceless. I love it whatever the weather. I've been gardening in the snow, sun, rain and wind. Just won't garden in a thunder storm, bit too risky. Enjoy your harvest.

[1fanger]

Hi Claire, Those were some good sized leeks. I have been looking in on your videos recently and enjoyed them. Cheers until spring.

[clairesallotment]

Had some last night in a chicken stew. Very nice. A bit frozen from being covered in snow, but lovely all the same.

[AGeNt7eVeN]

2:38 Push it in, as far as it will go and give it a wiggle....

[clairesallotment]

I like to make gardening interesting. What are you trying yo say?

[sadia102]

Nice parsnip Claire. I was wondering what was growing up in the flower garden and discovered it was parsnips. I haven't seen any grow before. Looking good. Everything is looking good. Sown heaps of seeds and got plenty of seedlings. My broad beans are nearly ready. Love the vids and thanks very much.

[clairesallotment]

It's the best year I've had for parsnips, when to look for them yesterday, but they're all covered in snow. Hope you're enjoying your broad beans.

[MadBadVoodo]

Five Stars!!

[richardpeej]

I enjoy watching your videos Claire - I can see that you have very busy today uploading four of them!

Thanks for uploading :-)

[clairesallotment]

I just film them. My hubby does all the complicated computer stuff for me.

[ShushLorraine]

Once again, I have enjoyed your gardening information video. Love your smiling face and enthusiasm. :-D

[clairesallotment]

Thank you. Happy gardening.