Arriving in the post this week some allium ampeloprasum var babingtonii seeds or rather I should say little bulbils. I read about 'Babington's Leeks' earlier this year and have since been on a mission to get some to plant at the lottie. This is a perennial leek which not only produces bulbs but also produces leaves which can apparently be picked when young to eat as salad leaves, apparently as early as January. The bulbils develop on the flower heads - it could take a couple of years for them to flower from sowing.
I must admit that after reading the instructions on the packet I was slightly bemused as to when to sow them so this led to some late night research. My books threw no light on the matter so I then had a play on the web. I was delighted to come across this most informative new to me site, where I am sure that I am going to spend much more time in the future :
'Plants For A Future' holds a database of some 7000 plants with edible, medicinal and other uses. Here I found all the information I was looking for - not only germination details but cultivation and use too. Ideally I should have sown the seed as soon as it ripe but there you go. I plan to sow some as soon as the compost in my greenhouse thaws out and my fingers too but will also hedge my bets by sowing some in spring. There is a lot of information on the site about lesser well known edible plants as well as the more familiar. I have only skimmed the surface but think that I will be using this resource regularly. Do have a peek.
That sounds a very useful website, I'm sure I shall be using it in the future (when things thaw out enough for me to venture into the garden again).
ReplyDeleteDear Anna, What a splendid recommendation. The website looks most interesting and clearly presented, the two do not always go together in my experience. I shall indeed keep the website as a source for future reference.
ReplyDeleteI do hope that you are managing to keep warm in the bad weather!
There's so many good websites out there, it's just a matter of discovering them. I'll definitely remember this one for future research.
ReplyDeleteI love leek! I haven't grown it but one of my gardening clients did... I sort of thought all leeks were perennial, but then that's confusing because we pull out the whole plant to eat it... unless it has bulbils, I guess. Or do they all? Now I realize I have no idea how leeks grow.
ReplyDeleteWow perennial leeks they sound fascinating though complicated - I will wait in anticipation to see how you get on. Also thanks for the link to the website it looks like something I will be roaming around alot
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip off to this website Anna. It looks a good one and I'm sure I will refer to it often. Hope you are managing to stay warm and safe in this cold snap.
ReplyDeleteLove the poem in your last post.
Jeanne
x
The leek looks interesting as does the website. I must google Mr Babbington!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds very interesting Anna - thanks for the useful info - will take a look. I couldn't help noticing the pretty little Polyanthus in your posting before - we have the exact same one in our garden here - but they're not out at the moment as the garden here has been covered in snow and frost! Take care and enjoy a really Happy Christmas Miranda x
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, I've heard that you're being deluged by snow. I hope your greenhouse is staying useful. Good luck with your perennial alliums. They do sound interesting as does the website. Stay warm.
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