Topic: leeks

[Joe11]

Hi, i have started my leeks off from seed indoors, and they are now about 5-6cm high, are they best left indoors now or should they be going outside, and how long should they stay in pots for before being planted into their final positions?

Cheers
Joe

[Two Choices]

Hi Joe, I let mine get to around 6 inches long before planting out around the middle of May. By letting them get this size I can make the hole to drop them in a good 5 inches. This has worked well for me, but I am relatively new to the allotment world. With the good weather, you could put them outside to start and harden off  :)

[saddad]

They are indestructible... leave them until they are as thick as a pencil or more...
 ;D

[Chris Graham]

mine are taken ages to thicken up....is this normal?

[jennym]

I'm never sure about this measure of "pencil thickness" - it seems to me that some folks have pretty thin pencils! or maybe it's just me  :) I plant leeks out when they are about the thickness of a knitting needle, and about 5" tall.

[tim]

What size needle, Jenny??

Yes, bought-in plants tend to be 1/4" or so thick & 8-10" tall.  But again, it all depends! 

If the ground is right & they are 1/8" thick & 5-6" tall, they go out.

BUT - with the present drought, I would leave plants to grow on, outdoors, until we get some substantial rain. Make sure that they are spaced so that the roots are retrievable!

[Chris Graham]

When do you plant them out?

[tim]

Normally June-July - but these days anything goes??

There are now so many varieties. Vide Moles' selection.

[windygale]

Tim, WHEN  is it going to RAIN,  ::) ::) ;D as i've transplanted mine into bigger pots and it wont be long before they need going out mid june -- july time,

windy ;)

[Chris Graham]

Probably be best if i wait till June then.

They are musselborugh but dont seem to be doing much

[Linz_]

Am i still ok to plant the seeds for these now??  Total newbie with no clue but a huuuuge love of leeks! lol

Also are they better off kept inside on a sunny windowsill or in a greenhouse with no heater??  I am getting a greenhouse at the weekend so could get it straight up and them straight in it??

Many thanks!

[growmore]

Hi Linz_ .There is  still plenty of time to sow leeks  for the table ...I don't go with the pencil thickness either if they are long enought they get planted out..