I always remember leeks being an easy and reliable crop to grow. Unfortunately, it seems that these days this is no longer the case in many parts of the UK, where a relatively new pest is gradually spreading around the country. Allium leaf miner (Phytomyza gymnostoma) can cause serious damage to all alliums but is most noticeable in leek crops. It first arrived in the Midlands in 2002, and since then, has rapidly spread around the country. Despite being present for around 20 years, it is surprising how many growers are not aware of it, or how to deal with it.
IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
The first obvious sign you have a problem with this pest is a pronounced twisting of the leaves.
This is most noticeable in leeks, and you will probably first notice it in late autumn. Later, the stems start to split, then eventually disintegrate, and in severe cases much of the crop is rotten before harvest time. Even mild infestations leave maggots and pupae in large enough numbers to render large parts of the crop inedible.
Denne historien er fra August 2022-utgaven av Kitchen Garden.
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Denne historien er fra August 2022-utgaven av Kitchen Garden.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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SEPTEMBER SPECIALS
This month, with sweetcorn, figs and blackberries on the menu, Anna Cairns Pettigrew is not only serving up something sweet and something savoury, but all things scrumptious
FLAVOURSOME FRUIT AUTUMN RASPBERRIES
September - is it late summer or the start of autumn? David Patch ponders the question and says whatever the season, it's time to harvest autumn raspberries
SOW GREEN THIS AUTUMN
Covering the soil with a green manure in winter offers many benefits and this is a good time to sow hardy types, says KG editor Steve Ott
A HISTORICAL HAVEN OF FRUIT AND FLOWERS
KG's Martin Fish takes time out from his own plot to visit a walled garden in Lincolnshire which has been home to the same family for more than 400 years
RESTORING THE BALANCE
The phrase regenerative gardening is often heard in gardening circles, but what is it? Can it help you to grow better veg? Ecologist Becky Searle thinks so, and tells us why
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT
Garden Organic's Anton Rosenfeld shares his expertise on using compost made from green bin collections with handy tips on getting the right consistency and quality
Celebrating Organic September!
In this special section we bring you four great features aimed at improving your crops and allowing nature to thrive
SEEING RED
Do your tomatoes have a habit of remaining stubbornly green? Or perhaps you're lucky to enjoy lots of lovely fruits - just all at once. Either way, Benedict Vanheems is here with some top tips to ripen and process the nation's favourite summer staple
NEW KIDS ON THE BROCCOLI!
Rob Smith is talking broccoli this month with a review of the different types available and suggestions for some exciting new varieties to try
A NEW kitchen garden
Martin Fish is getting down to plenty of picking and planting on the garden veg plot, while Jill is rustling up something pepper-licking good!