Question
Hi kindred beisinger.
I have grown some leeks from seed back in the early part of august.(musselburgh variety)although they have come up they are a long way off ready to be pulled.The diameter of the edible part being less than 1cm.Have i planted/transplanted to late or have i pressed the soil around them to tight or does this particular variety take a while to mature i have used no pesticide on them and the ground has been fed with bonemeal and well turned over prior to planting.I did prior to planting them grew potatoes in the same plot.

Answer
Dear Noel,
Not knowing from where you are writing, I have no idea about the growing season you are working with, but August seems late to me.  This year, in many areas, the weather has been hard on certain produce.  We didn't plant leeks this year, but all the varieties of our onions were just not up to par.  One variety would be small and spindly, another soft or dark.  We got a fair crop, but nothing that would bring a blue ribbon at the county fair.  I don't know if this is weather related or timing, but it does sound like your soil is viable.  I'm thinking it just may be kind of late in the growing season for them.
Kind Regards,
Kindred
www.eingedi.us