Leeks!

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.... );


Is that for Leeks or for buying a bargain ?

 

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.

 

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

 

It's a good job it's mainly adults only

 

And Pete with his 9 inch dibber... Excuse me, must dash to scrub my eyeballs with soap now.

 

I'm not commenting mate ...as it is a Leeks discussion ...behave

 

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.



G.