Leeks!

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Fat Controller, Jul 13, 2018.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    On a whim, I bought some leek seedlings the other day (well, they were only £2, and I have an addiction.... :biggrin:); each cell in the poly box has quite a few seedlings in it, so I presume I am going to have to separate them?

    Do I plant them on into pots as an interim (if I have enough pots) or do I plant them straight into their final positions now to save further disturbance later? I must admit, the latter appeals as it would be easier for watering etc too.
     
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    • NigelJ

      NigelJ Total Gardener

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      @Fat Controller
      Unless very small I would plant into their final position now and save disturbing them later.
       
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      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        Thanks @NigelJ

        They are not big, but they are not exactly weaklings either:

        leeks.jpg
         
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        • Scrungee

          Scrungee Well known for it

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          They look a bit small for separating and planting out individually.

          I plant clumps like those in the cells in approx 2"/50mm dia dibbed holes x 3 or 4" deep and let them grow on to form clumps of mini size leeks like the expensive ones in shops, pulled up as a whole bunch.
           
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          • Scrungee

            Scrungee Well known for it

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            Some of my Leeks planted in clumps, they're normally larger by now, but have suffered a bit due to the drought. I aim to get them to around finger thickness before harvesting.

            leek clumps.jpg
             
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            • Fat Controller

              Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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              Blimey, yours are huge compared to mine!

              Still, its not the size, but what you do with it that counts.......... :lunapic 130165696578242 5:
               
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              • ricky101

                ricky101 Total Gardener

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                Hi,

                If you like them big and have got good soil then I would plant them now as individuals, if well watered they should catch up quick enough, though they can seem to take a good few weeks to get going while putting their roots down.

                (well, they were only £2, and I have an addiction.... :biggrin:);


                Is that for Leeks or for buying a bargain ? :)
                 
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                • Fat Controller

                  Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                  Thanks Ricky - I have some in clumps in pots, and others as individuals in pots and they are gaining size by the day. I am going to let the really hot spell early next week get out of the way, then I will move them on into my big blue planters, and sink them a wee bit deeper so I get decent blanching.

                  We tend to like onions/leeks/garlic etc in all forms, so I will grow them as a mix of large and small.

                  As to my addiction, I would have to say both, but more of an addiction for plants in general. :biggrin:
                   
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                  • Fat Controller

                    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                    Well, our wee leeks are not so wee now, and are ready to go into the big barrels. They are about 12 inches tall as a minimum, so how deep should I be planting them in their new home
                     
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                    • silu

                      silu gardening easy...hmmm

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                      I'm no expert @Fat Controller but do grow reasonable leeks. What I do is get the soil dug over so reasonably easy to plant into then poke a hole in the soil with my forefinger and pop a leek in the hole, I don't bother to fill the hole back in just water the lot when finished and the soil tends to fall back into the hole and bingo you get blanched leeks. Ok my forefinger isn't that long and no doubt to be correct you should maybe use a dibber type thing but it's awful easy and quick the way I do it. I grow about 100 leeeks so time taken is a factor with my method. The leeks I planted in May were about the same size as the ones you bought. Most are now a decent and of harvestable size if and when I want them. They do grow quite quickly once they get going and the plus side is that you can leave them in situ all winter and pick when needed, no lifting and storing/freezing is necessary.
                       
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                      • pete

                        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                        When I grow leeks, not very often these days, I use a dibber to make a hole about 9 ins deep, drop an individual plant in, you can slightly trim back the roots, if you like, to make it drop to the bottom of the hole better.

                        You then just water, there needs to be some leaf still above the ground but not much.

                        That way you get a good long blanched stem when you harvest by using a fork.

                        Should add, to me leeks are a winter veg cropping from December onwards
                         
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                        • Gail_68

                          Gail_68 Guest

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                          It's a good job it's mainly adults only :scratch: :loll:
                           
                        • Selleri

                          Selleri Koala

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                          And Pete with his 9 inch dibber... Excuse me, must dash to scrub my eyeballs with soap now. :hate-shocked:
                           
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                          • Gail_68

                            Gail_68 Guest

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                            I'm not commenting mate :whistle:...as it is a Leeks discussion [​IMG]...behave :heehee:
                             
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                            • Jack Sparrow

                              Jack Sparrow Total Gardener

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                              I broke my dibber. I nearly cried. Its a shame I didn't take a photo of it. I still have the broken bit in my shed. Perhaps I will take a photo at some point.

                              :lolpt:

                              G.
                               
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