This year I am growing Giant Musselburgh leeks. According to SeedSavers the Giant Musselburgh leek is a “Scottish variety introduced in the early 1800s. Enormous leeks that are 9-15″ long by 2-3″ in diameter. Tender white stalks, dark bluegreen fan-shaped leaves. Mild flavor, stands winter well. 80-150 days from transplant.”
Technically I should be starting the seeds 6 weeks prior to the last frost date {around Feb 15th} but I’m a risk taker. Okay, so maybe I’m just impatient. But trying to grow 2,000 lbs of backyard produce in the middle of suburbia over the course of just 1 summer is a little crazy {even for me} and if I don’t get started soon… I’d feel like I was wasting valuable time.
My theory is, leeks are somewhat cold hardy. If I run out of room in the family room… I can always set up shop in the dinning room. And if/when I run out room in there, I’ll just set up the pop up green house in a sheltered area on the back porch. After all, these are Scottish leeks. If their forefathers can wear kilts without underwear in the Highlands and survive the frigid temps… then the least this tray of leeks can do is survive a few weeks outside on the back porch towards the end of March.
Have you started any seeds yet?
Dawn says
Last weekend I planted pepper seeds. This year I am growing two types of bell peppers, banana pepper, el jefe jalapeno peppers, cayenne peppers, and fish peppers. The fish pepper is new to me, but the plant and peppers looked so nice in the Seed Savers catalog that I could not resist. Next weekend I will start the tomato seeds and some flower seeds too.
Good luck on reaching your 2,000 pound goal this year!
Mavis says
Oh I wish I could grow peppers. I tried one year and was only able to grow a few. I looked up the fish peppers and they look cool… or should I say hot. 🙂
Heather S. says
Can’t you plant lettuce in the winter too? I’ve never done it, but my neighbor was saying she was going to have her husband build her a lettuce box so she can grow it in the winter. Lettuce weighs a lot, right?