Had always planned to plant leeks where new potatoes were but read that they like firm soil. Therefore, with heavy rain forecast, I went up the lottie and dug up a few more of my second earlies to make space then dug over and weeded the bed. I then trod it a couple of times and will leave it to be rained on over the next few days to firm up the soil. I will then go armed with a dibber (don't know what yet - my dibbers are a bit small) Will the soil be sufficiently firm for my leeks?
Can't see why not. Down here in Kent the soil is quite soft and free and I have grown really good leeks with no problems (didn't know about firm ground when I first tried it!). They seem to be doing okay this year, even with the ground where they are planted shifting. So sounds as if you have done more than enough. Good luck :D :D
My soil is very sandy being a riverbed, so the leeks have what they are given. They seem to manage ok.
Never heard that one!!
I would tread the soil one more time to stop the holes giving away as it will still be dry after a few inchis or mm if you use new Meters & mm.
then dib away
Oooer, th eonly bed I tromped down was the brassica bed. The leeks went in quite loose soil, but they aren't complaining, some of them are huge already!
Are you sure you're not thinking of sprouts, my leeks go in normal loose soil and they're fine
The only problem I've ever had planting leeks in loose soil is that the dibber holes fall in.
Juts got used to treading the soil it helps against moles under mining the plants.
Once went down to find the collies on there side where the mole had been.
I did even less than that! To fit the leeks in I cleared and dug a new patch of gound to ensure I could get the dibber in easily :o However, never fear for they are romping away much faster than expected and doing fine and my book states that the ground should be dug well - just looked as an after thought ;D
Thanks everyone - should I top and tail them?
Some do, some don't, I don't and mine are romping! ;D
Went up the lottie today, after all the rain, and see my leek holes have all filled up.
Should I dig them out do you think? Quite a bit of stone fell down the holes too ???
If the leeks are already in the holes, leave them. They always fill up pretty quick.