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Leeks a planting and progress to date

chris 172chris 172 Posts: 403
in Fruit & veg

hi all

just thought i would share with you how i grow leeks which i read in a book about five years ago.

i have used this method ever since as i have found it to be very easy and have got fantastic returns in volume

Plant seeds approx 100 in a ten/twelve inch pot early March and have kept them in a coldframe since coming through in the greenhouse.

This weekend i have planted out approx 300 and have still some to go in another part of my garden.

Photographs show leeks in pot which i lift out and steep in water which gets most of the compost off them and finally wash under tap at allotment. they come apart very easy and i cut the roots down to an inch and trim top and plant in a hole made with my dibber 6 inches deep and then water in only do not back fill soil

An easy method with very little failure and maual effort

happy gardeningimageimageimageimageimageimage

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Posts

  • treehugger80treehugger80 Posts: 1,923

    must admit I've never bothered cutting the roots on leeks, seems strange to be cutting the roots off something that you want to establish quicker??

  • michael mpcmichael mpc Posts: 422

    hi chris  I also grow my leek seeds the same  way   in big pots.       I think it  up to the individual to trim or not  I have done the same and to be honest can not say it has made a great difference if you think it makes better leeks go for it as we all do things that others think is daft but it works    this year only about  100 in imageimage   Michael

  • chris 172chris 172 Posts: 403

    Thanks Michael

    Why fix it if it's not broke I say however everyone has their own way and good luck to them all as all us gardeners want is a return for our effort

    Happy gardening

  • BLTBLT Posts: 525

    I used to grow my Musselburgh leeks in one of those little multi root planters, then transplant when of a decent size. I was given a tip by my mates dad and its a northen technique. You buy a legnth of plastic drain pipe and cut into 8 inch legnths. You then 'Collar' the leeks and they grow taller with a longer white part. 

  • chris 172chris 172 Posts: 403

    Hi BLT

    I have also heard of this method however I grow the leeks to take at any time from the garden and do bank up carefully some to get them blanched.

    On my allotment there is quite a few leek growers that show them however I am not in that group yet and only grow to eat if you know what I mean

    with the weather being poor and rainy up in the north east my leeks have at least settled in well without my need to water, but now hoping for a weather change this weekend to some sunshine

    Happy gardeningimage  

  • michael mpcmichael mpc Posts: 422

    hi blt   sorry it is late b/band been of yes when I first tried that way was to many yrs ago I am like chris and a lot more try the way that works for you and stick to it ..you can get a few left over leeks and a bit of ground and try 6 in plastic sleves I had about 60 bits you could  have had but binned the lot    michael

  • chris 172chris 172 Posts: 403

    Hi all 

    just an update on my leeks which are coming along fine

    apart from the weeding in between to keep up happy with progress so far

    hopefully not long before I can start lifting a few as I dont wait until they are full size

    happy gardeningimage

  • michael mpcmichael mpc Posts: 422

    hi chris72         just been down the garden  myself checked and sprayed my leeks for cabbage white eggs squashed a good few   ,anyhow checked the size of leeks and I am very pleased at size of them  I to take a few early and don't leave all to come at once . checked  callabrese  and bulb fennel  looking ok  beetroot not far of took all the pickling onions up got more than I expected  2 big jars  parsnips are well up but not ezpecting good roots as I did not get time to clean up the stones but will still go in roasting tin   keep up good work chris  .        baths  for aqua fit get ready  for hard work  now (  don't laugh until you try it it keeps me a young 73  and I like it )   

  • chris 172chris 172 Posts: 403

    image

    Hi all

    Just an update on the leeks to date and as I grow for taste and not size I am really happy with the progress to date.

    The hardest is keeping the weeds at bay between them however the reward is the leeks which is worth it.

    I could start taking now however I am still using my frozen leeks from last years crops so plenty to have and share when the hunger gap comes in the new year.

    Musselbourgh and pot leek this year and I have only lost a few which was more than likely birds after I first planted them back in June

    Happy gardening

  • LeifUKLeifUK Posts: 573

    A simple way to keep weeds at bay is no-dig. Spread a couple of inches of compost on the soil surface before planting and it will suppress weeds. I have no weeds, apart from a few oregano plants thanks to putting oregano dead headings in the compost bin!

    I think I will try your method next year. I agree flavour not size matters, planting them closer gets smaller but tastier leeks.

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