I may have mis-heard, but I thought Kate Humble on"Kew on a plate" said leeks were sown in late summer. Is this possible, or only on the warm southeast?
Well I didn't watch it myself so why not try i-player and listen again.
My own leeks were sown 4 weeks ago inside, to be pricked out and grown on to plant in place of the early potatoes, around July. A later sowing will also be made in 8 weeks time, directly into a seed bed for thinning and some transplanting to give a second batch which should grow on , until used in Feb-march 2016
I am growing Bleu de Solaise and Monstreux from Real Seeds, Carantan from Lidl-29p!!! Oh the value!!!!
I bought some plants in modules mid summer and they have never got particularly big, still growing. They are now about thumb thickness. Though I am told they are very nice.
Got mine going earlier this year they are at the grass stage on the windowsill. Wyvale 50p.
Bought 22 Liège leek babies today - all that was left at the stall - for 10 cents each and have already puddled them in. I'll give them a cloche tonight as frost is expected and they'll need hardening off for a few days. Cos lettuce plugs were 20cents each and will be potted in and kept sheltered for a week or two till they get big enough for life outdoors.
I quote - "For spring leeks, sow in late summer
For leeks to overwinter, I plant seeds in flats in August, sowing thinly to avoid transplanting before setting out. If you live in warmer climes than New England's, you can start them through the end of September"
I've never yet got leeks to survive a winter here in central Belgium where normal winters get down to -15C for several weeks and -20s are not unusual so gave up late plantings some years ago and now just plant a few in spring.
Thanks for the replies. Might try sowing a late batch (if I remember!)
I bought some plants today, sown in a single 5 inch pot. They are at the "grass" stage so need transplanting. Last time I did this I planted into a trough container with reasonable success. Has anyone got firm preferences for this or the nursery bed?
QuoteI've never yet got leeks to survive a winter here in central Belgium where normal winters get down to -15C for several weeks and -20s are not unusual so gave up late plantings some years ago and now just plant a few in spring.
I think this is a variety thing and I am guessing you have sown/ grown a type not suited to winter temperatures.
As a rule of thumb I find that types suited to blanching do not over winter as well as the pot leek types do., I.e. The shorter types.
The most reliable one I would suggest is a variety called Mussleburgh but there are others as you can see here:
http://www.realseeds.co.uk/leeks.html (http://www.realseeds.co.uk/leeks.html)
Thanks Tee Gee. In fact I buy babies from local markets. The variety is called Liège and is suposed to be the hardiest leek available - http://www.semaille.com/poireau-dhiver/581-poireau-de-liege.html but they haven't liked the very cold wet winters I get here and don't do well when we've been going down to -25C. OK down to -15C though. The advice is to sow in spring and harvest in the following winter to early spring.
The last 2 winters have been mild so I'm taking a wee gamble and having another go but just a few this time and, if necessary, I will fleece and maybe even cloche them this winter.