Leeks

[mc55]

I had some leeks donated earlier in the year and they are looking pretty good so far.  I'm wondering though how long they can stay in the ground ?  will they rot or be attacked by any pests ?

(sorry if this has been asked before, I'm not very good yet with the search facility)

[mc55]

[supersprout]

Depends slightly on variety, some happily stand in the ground til late March or April :o

Pests should be mostly dormant now; leeks can get rust if close together and damp; and they can rot.

If you spot anything going wrong with a leek, dig it up straight away to stop it affecting its neighbours. Nine times out of ten if you act early, you still get good eating when the nasty bits are peeled off :) but I wouldn't put the peelings in the compost ::)

[cornykev]

Mine are still in the ground can't remember the variety but will leave them in for the time being but I thought all variety's could be left in but as Sprout says if it looks a wrong en whip it out.  :D :D :D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Mrs Ava]

Mine stay put, just taking them as I need them.  To be honest, the first signs for me that they are past their best is when the first one sends up a flower spike as the weather warms.  For me that is the sign to get them all up and make lots of lovely leeky recipes to freeze.  I normally take the last leeks in April time, by then it isn't long before my overwintering onions are useable.