Climate change risk to leek shows

Show organisers say leeks and onions should be planted later

Organisers of the World Leek and Onion Championships have warned growers that global warming is threatening traditional shows.

September is the traditional time for keen growers to show their prize vegetables at shows across the county.

But higher temperatures earlier in the year, mean many specimens mature too quickly and are unfit to show.

Tournament organisers in Northumberland have told growers to take urgent action and plant later.

Hot summer

Dickie Atkinson, who has organised 24 World Leek and Onion Championships at Ashington, said: "Leeks and onions are maturing much faster than they used to. Yet many competition growers have not cut back on their growing time.

"They are putting down their plants as they always have done in years past.

"But whereas their entries used to reach their prime in September - the traditional show time - many now mature by July and are unfit to show, come the occasion.

"When I checked my leeks during last July's scorcher the temperature was 110C (230F) in the polytunnels.

"Many growers have always planted onion seeds by 22 November and leeks even earlier to give almost a year's growth.

"It may pay now to plant later."