When we were in UK, I grew leeks from seed. I trimmed the tops when I planted them out. I know some people also trim the roots.
Now in France, I buy a bundle of 50 bare-rooted leek plants and I still trim the tops when planting out.
This week I was advised that it is good for them to be trimmed again now, to help them thicken up. I've not heard of this. My leeds are usually good, but I've just done it as you can see from the photos. Perhaps I should have just done half of them as a trial! Too late now.
Does anyone else do this well into autumn?
I don't bother at either stage... used to trim them when planting out... roots and leaves but no more.... life's too short!
Mine get trimmed by rabbits over winter!
As I see it it goes against all the princples of plant culture, Chloryphil and all that.
An anaolgy could be: The leaves are the factory floor and the roots are the supply line so to cut / trim either of these can only affect production.
Then if you see the lengths specialist leek growers go to ensure that the leaves never get damaged,this backs up the the above analogy.
So as I see it: What is the point of either of the methods you have been given?
i trim my leeks regularly they come back really good and thick then if rust grabs them i trim them nearly down to the ground and again they come back fantastic hope this helps
Ah, now I'm left thinking I shouldn't have done it, I should have done it, and I should have only done half of them!!!! I'll report back.
It was no bother, took about five minutes with large sharp scissors and the cut bits went straight in the comport.
Not to worry Peanuts
My thoughts are:
There are no wrong ways to garden only better ways!
I was taught that if you find a way that suits your style of gardening then stick with it until you find a better way of doing it.
What you have to remember is we all garden in our only bit of the world where the condition are unique to us.
What I tend to do is when thinking of a change is to grow about 80% of my crop in my tried and tested way and the other 20% on any new method I would like to try.
This way you get an exact comparison with the old and the new method under the exact same conditions.
Once the year is over decide which way you think is best then carry on with that.
Every year when I am ordering my seed I ask myself the question was I happy with my results this year, and if the answer is no then I choose a different variety and method and conduct the 80 - 20 exercise.
I cut mine back when the leek moth got into them. They grew back bigger stronger and pest free. But the light and the weather was better than it is now.