I love Franchi seeds from Seeds of Italy and I see they have leek seeds on a 5m tape - http://www.seedsofitaly.com/product/595
After all my back breaking work dibbing and transplanting last year, this idea appeals to me but before I order I wondered if anyone had tried this method. I assume you have to earth them up as they grow? I have used taped seeds before, but it never occured to me it could work with leeks.
Any comments would be most appreciated.
Ali
I think anyone who suffers from back, limb, joint pains when doing something they love needs to find every which way to avoid the pain, so sowing in situ would make sense as it means the bending over only has to be done once and avoids the dibbing etc. but I would weigh up the extra cost of the taped seeds to buying your favourite variety as loose seeds and then opt for loose seeds and sow thinly. Not all leeks need earthing up, in fact I never bother. Good luck :)
I am trying leek seed tape for the first time this year which is down to lack of time and bad back.
You have nothing to lose but what you might want to try is to plant a few seeds at the same time in a seed tray and use it to fill any gaps if you have a lack of germination. If all the seed tape germinates then you can still plant on the extra seedlings and then you can see which works better :)
hi 5 rod here
I under stand that leeks grow better
with a second planting so what help would
seeds on tape be ??? ???
i think with leeks the second planting allows the plant to be planted more deeply.
Using seed tape is still aplicable you just need to earth up the baby leeks this helps create a long white bit :)
I'll be planting both Suttons on a tape (1/2 price Wyvales + extra discount = how could I resist?) & then I've got a pkt of 'regular' which will be seeded into a pot & planted when they're the right size...will be interesting to compare.
Snap! I got a packet in the sale too so will try this year just have to remember to earth up or no white leek. Can cheat and use compost to earth up that would be quicker.
I tried seeded tapes a few years ago and got good results.A lot less hassle but pricey unless you can get an offer.I have never earthed up my leeks but I will do it next time round to see what difference it makes. :)
Sowing leeks directly where they are to grow, with or without tapes is wasteful of the ground as for several months they are very small. Given that they take a lot of abuse without harm and transplant with ease I always sow a few seeds in a 3" pot and transplant to deep trays until they are ready for their final growing positions. Mine are already pricked out into trays in the poly for growing on.
mine are planted between carrots as a companion plant :) and i am not going to being on the allotment much for the next couple of months so i can spare the space ;D