leeks

I stretched a fine net over my newly planted leeks just to keep the cats out: come November, my neighbour’s row had nothing left inside the stems

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I stretched a fine net over my newly planted leeks just to keep the cats out: come November, my neighbour's row had nothin...

A gardener’s accidental cat deterrent revealed a far more valuable benefit: protection against leek moths and allium leafminers that hollow stems from the inside. These tiny insects can destroy an entire harvest by autumn, leaving no visible signs until it’s too late to save the crop.

I transplanted my winter leeks whole in August to spare them: a month later, when I lifted one, I understood why they’d stopped thickening

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I transplanted my winter leeks whole in August to spare them: a month later, when I lifted one, I understood why they'd st...

Moving mature leeks whole seemed safer, but a month later one gardener discovered their leek’s shank hadn’t thickened at all. The roots revealed the real problem: undisturbed root balls in August heat simply stop growing. The fix isn’t trimming—it’s depth, water, and timing.