Topic: Is it too early to plant Leeks?

[PeterVV]

The packet states jan - feb for indoor planting, and they do need a long growing season, so is it too early?

[caroline7758]

I'm watching this with interest. As the rabbits decimated the leeks which were still in the ground recently, I want to grow some to harvest earlier this year.

[sunloving]

I normally sow leeks every two months to have a sucession on the go, ive got some seeds germinating on the windowledge right now. They are very hardy and can stand being quite big before pricking out if the weather turns cold again. But start them off indoors

go for it, musselborough are on sale at netto for 19p a pack so what have you got to loose.
x sunloving

[grannyjanny]

I read somewhere that the long plant pots that roses come in are good for sowing leek seeds as they encourage long roots.

[star]

I read somewhere that the long plant pots that roses come in are good for sowing leek seeds as they encourage long roots.

I heard that too. I grew mine in a deep polystyrene box last year till they were ready for planting out.....I didn't get them in the ground till Aug  :o, so they are still tiny. But they might still pick up as the weather warms up. I dont mind them small either  :D

[kt.]

I want to grow some to harvest earlier this year.

I am considering these as an early leek:
http://www.kingsseeds.com/kolist45/1/True/0/12518.htm

To answer the original thread question - I don't sow leeks until Feb.

[hartshay]

I have about 4 dozen  on my greenhouse bench, from Nov start ticking over until planting out time, however most I plant from seed in Jan/Feb.

Mind you it is normally very mild here...

[Pescador]

I think it would help to clarify things if we refer to sowing seeds and planting plants, otherwise it can get rather confusing.
I certainly don't think it's too early to sow indoors and grow on fairly cool, for planting out when conditions allow.

[PeterVV]

Sorry, I meant sow seeds, not plant, way too early fo plants...

[Dandytown]

I started mine off in root trainers last year and realized is was such a waste of time and effort when I saw one of the other plot holders growing them all in one pot and his leeks are a sight for sore eyes.

I grew Carentan, they are still in the ground and the second lot are coming through nicely. 

Must get some compost quickly and start some off.  Its almost that time again  :)

[sheddie]

Some of the old-timers on our plot traditionally sow leek seed either on boxing day or New Years day. Quite like the traditional aspect, but I'm a bit late as I'll be sowing mine today!

sheddie

[saddad]

Mine will wait a week or two yet...  :)

[PeterVV]

sown mine today in an old margarine tub in the kitchen.......

[Tonythegardener]

I don't usually start my leeks off until March time.  I like to have big leeks over the Christmas and new year time.  In Wolverhampton we have the leek miner fly, Phytomyza gymnostoma to contend with and it is a pain in the neck.  I had to cover my leeks with enviromesh very carefully to protect them.  I am having to do this with my onions too. 

[saddad]

We have it for the first time in Derby... any chance the cold will have killed it off?  :-\

[jimtheworzel]

The packet states jan - feb for indoor planting, and they do need a long growing season, so is it too early?

the answer is  YES innore what it says on the pkt, wait till march

[Tonythegardener]

Hi Saddad
I really hope that the cold weather has killed off the leek miner fly.  It didn't last year unfortunately.  It is supposed to have come across from eastern europe and they have very cold winters there.