Growing Leeks

[davidk]

Hi all!

A little while ago someone mentioned growing leeks, so for what it's worth this is my take on it.

Any time now I sow my leek seed in a seed bed in the open ground.
By mid summer when the plants are about as thick as a pencil and 20 cm (8 in) high, they will be ready for transplanting to their permanent position.
If you are able to plant during showery weather the young plants will settle more quickly, otherwise water the bed the day before if the soil is dry.
To plant leeks in holes, *use a thick dibber or trowel and make the holes 15 cm (6 in) deep and 15-23 cm (6-9 in) apart, depending on what size of leek you want.
Make sure the holes are vertical and move the dibber about from side to side so that they are slightly larger at the top.
The holes should be about 5 cm (2 in) in diameter. Cut back the roots until they are 2.5 cm (1 in) long and trim the tips of the leaves back slightly.
Lower the young leeks gently into the holes and fill the holes with water.
The water will wash enough soil over the base of the plant to allow it to become established.
As you hoe the ground from time to time the holes will gradually fill up with soil.

*I’ve found a really useful dibber can be a handle such as those found on a lawn edging tool, these can be bought for a couple of pounds & will last for years.
*Oh! And they come ready pointed.

[jean]

Hi DK

All sounds good advice to me What variety do you grow, I tend to stick with Mussleburgh and still have a couple of rows left in the ground.

[Deleted]

Can you sow them in large pots until ready for transplant?
I don't have the spare space to sow in a bed at the moment

[davidk]

Hi Jlottie!

I would agree, for consistency & reliability Mussleburgh rarely disappoints; although for an earlier maturing crop I can recommend Marshall's 'Prenora'.

[davidk]

Hi Paul!

Although I do appreciate that it may not be practical in your own case, I do personally I prefer starting them off in a seed bed.

However, providing your pots are no less than 5" deep, I see no reason why not.

[Deleted]

Thanks David, i'll make sure I put them in large pots then.
Last year I tried them in normal seed trays but they got quite stunted by the time I had the bed sorted.