"Special grid" - and leeks

point 4/26/2012, 7:10 pm

I am entirely new at gardening and got fooled by the 70 degree weather we had in Mass. during March. I transplanted leeks that I grew indoors, but they're thin wisps, and about half failed. Should I try to salvage/create a summer crop by buying a "bunch" of leeks from an onion farm, and then harvest them by cutting them, leaving the roots and part of the stalk in the ground? I heard this was a way of having leeks perennially.

Second, I've been finding references to a Feb. 1996 Organic Gardening article that apparently talks about a special grid to be used for certain vegetables. Could someone tell me what the special grid is? I'm assuming it's running a trellis through several squares.

Thank you

martha 4/26/2012, 10:17 pm

Hello, Point! Welcome!

If you plant more leeks now, they should be ready around the end of August. But I wouldn't give up just yet. Leeks are pretty hardy things. I had some overwinter last year. They looked slimy and rotten, but once I pulled off those outer leaves (while they were still in the garden) they were happy as pigs in you-know-what.

Where in Mass are you? (If you don't mind saying - don't feel pressured to answer!)

And I have no idea what the special grid might be.

So tell us more about your gardening, past present and future.

Again, welcome!

point 4/26/2012, 11:11 pm

Thanks for the welcome, Martha. I'm close to you, in Chelmsford. I've only grown herbs up until now, so actual vegetables are a complete mystery.

Thanks for the reassurance on the leeks. Had you ever heard of lopping the tops off as a method for harvesting?

I first read about Mel's special grid as one of 10 new tips (from 1996) in Gardenweb, and then again here, in a thread on spacing of plants. I was trying to make sense of some of the notations: 2/3 seems to mean two plants in three adjacent squares, but 3/9 showed only one plant in the middle of nine squares.

givvmistamps 4/26/2012, 11:33 pm

Point!

I think your special grid might just be the markers we use to show where each individual square foot is. Then when we plant, we usually plant one crop in a square and the number of seeds/plants we put in a square depends upon how much space the plants will need when mature. Does that sound right?

Here's a photo of the grid I used; it's made from twine attached using furniture tacks. Other people use wood or other materials to mark off their squares.

In case you hadn't seen one before, the taller, 1'x2' box on top in the front is referred to as a "top hat" around here; you use those to add more depth when you want to grow root veggies like carrots, potatoes, etc.

Lindacol 4/26/2012, 11:48 pm

point wrote:Thanks for the welcome, Martha. I'm close to you, in Chelmsford. I've only grown herbs up until now, so actual vegetables are a complete mystery.

Thanks for the reassurance on the leeks. Had you ever heard of lopping the tops off as a method for harvesting?

I first read about Mel's special grid as one of 10 new tips (from 1996) in Gardenweb, and then again here, in a thread on spacing of plants. I was trying to make sense of some of the notations: 2/3 seems to mean two plants in three adjacent squares, but 3/9 showed only one plant in the middle of nine squares.

The spacings listed on the Gardenweb link are NOT the ones in the ANSFG book published in 2006. You really need to get the that version of Mel's book. Chapter 2 covers the 10 new tips, including the grid.

point 4/27/2012, 6:41 am

Thank you both, Michelle and Lindacol, for the welcome and the answers.

I'll certainly re-read that chapter in the 2006 edition. I didn't know the information had been incorporated there.

The top hats are going to be handy for salsify. I'm planning for more raised beds, but I have to remind myself that I have a lot to learn yet.

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"Special grid" - and leeks

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