Leeks and broccoli

This afternoon I sowed two varieties of leeks - Colossal, from the heritage seed library, and Hannibal from the organic garden catalogue. The colossal seeds were definitely larger than the Hannibal, so it will be interesting to see what happens. We have just finished eating the leeks sown in April 2007 - our last supper with them was a leek and cheese pie (served cold - with no pastry) from my favourite Greek cookery book.

The broccoli are Romanesco variety, given to us by our friend Bruce, who has helped out on the plot a few times.

I just had to transplant the Cosmos today - although they don't have any true leaves, because they were sown on the top of the compost, with a little vermiculite and had grown so tall, they were looking very fragile, and waving around. I decided they had a better chance if they were transplanted and set more soundly in some compost. Their roots were pretty sturdy - and after seeing a picture of Cosmos in the paper today, we are a bit concerned they are going to be pretty tall! That's OK though, just need to be prepared for it - these are definitely for the back row of the flower border. I sowed some more today as well - in case I kill off the first lot.

Heritage Seed Library: a delivery

Seeds from the Heritage Seed Library 2008 Catalogue
Originally uploaded by Marj Joly.

The seeds have arrived! This is how they are described in the 2008 Heritage Seed Library catalogue...

Carrot (Egmont Gold): A tapering, pale orange main crop variety good for late sowing.

Beetroot (Bull's Blood): An old variety dating back to before 1900 and renowned for its edible, decorative, reddish-purple foliage. It produces medium-sized, spherical roots that are tasty and tender when young. If picked when small, the striking leaves are also sweet and succulent.

Climbing French Bean (Bonne Bouche): Originating in the Rouen area of France in the 1950's...it has pairs of delicate white flowers and large green leaves. The long green pods have a slight red stripe, and a really great flavour.

Chard (Samara): This attractive variety produces large green leaves with white stems. It is very productive and long lasting.

Leek (Colossal): A hardy and reliable cropper, with long ribbed leaves that drape onto the ground.

Kale (Asparagus): Listed in The Vegetable Garden (Vilmorin-Andrieux 1885), this variety is reputed to be one of the tastiest kales and can be treated more like Broccoli. The violet tinged, fringed leaves, when picked young, are mild-flavoured and really tasty. In spring the young, tender flower shoots can be blanched and eaten like asparagus. Compact, hardy and productive.

Dwarf French Bean (Negritos): The flowers are a pretty pale purple and give rise to short green pods.