Too late to start leeks from seed?

**kathyd** · 29-04-2013, 04:21 PM

I've just planted some in pots and got them in the polytunnel. When they poke through, I'll harden them off outside, but I think they germinate a bit better under cover. I'm sure it's fine to plant some now, but check recommendations on the pack - it may be that you can get early and late season leeks, but my knowledge is um... basic to say the least! I know mine grow slowly and stand all winter, which is when I want to be eating them. Don't forget that everything's late this year too, given the lovely weather we've been having, so I'd go for it if I were you

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**Chef_uk** · 29-04-2013, 04:29 PM

Your as late as most others. I only started mine 2 weeks ago. Started them off in the cold greenhouse and they are only coming through now. I'll give them another week or two in there before moving them outside before finally planting them out when they are thick and long enough. Like Kathyd though I don't really harvest mine until Christmas day at the earliest.

**zazen999** · 29-04-2013, 04:35 PM

Everything is a bit late this year - I only sowed some 2 weeks ago and they are already bigger than the onions I've been nursing since December.

I'll be sowing more this weekend.

**cazp** · 29-04-2013, 04:56 PM

Thanks all. I will give them a go and see what happens!

**cazp** · 01-05-2013, 09:21 PM

Well I've sown the leeks, fingers crossed.

They are in the plastic greenhouse during the day - anyone know if there is there any benefit to bringing them in at night ie, will it speed up the germination process?

**sammy_roser** · 01-05-2013, 10:08 PM

When I google it I get

Germination temperature: 45 F to 95 F - Peak germination around 77 F.

Which is between 7C and 35C -77F is 25C so whilst they will be able to germinate in the plastic greenhouse overnight it would be better to get them started indoors.

**marchogaeth** · 04-05-2013, 07:24 AM

Originally posted by sammy_roser View Post

When I google it I get

Germination temperature: 45 F to 95 F - Peak germination around 77 F.

Which is between 7C and 35C -77F is 25C so whilst they will be able to germinate in the plastic greenhouse overnight it would be better to get them started indoors.

I started some off in January and February before realsiing what a rubbish year it was going to be. I put them on top of the roof of our vivarium just above the lamp (where it's about 20C) covered with plastic and then moved them to a window when they germinated. They are outside now hardening off, they (always) look a bit flimsy but I think they are on track for being able to go in the potato bed after harvest.

**WPG** · 04-05-2013, 07:54 AM

I sowed a couple of hundred leek Oarsman and Pandora in February and early March, but they're still at the blades of grass stage. Not that worried atm. Like marchogaeth, the leeks will be planted after the first early potato harvest...and there's still no sign of my potatoes yet (planted a month ago).
I reckon leeks which are sowed now would probably catch up quickly enough. Everything is so late this year, just hope we get an indian summer to extend the season.

**Two_Sheds** · 04-05-2013, 09:17 AM

I let my leeks self-seed on the lotty, and yesterday I discovered a little cluster of baby leeklings

I'll be splitting & transplanting them this weekend.

**Tripmeup** · 04-05-2013, 10:56 PM

Sow them and wait.. and wait...
Mine have been sown for over a month now and are still quite frail looking...
Even when I put them in their final growing spot each year, I think I will have tiny leeks the following Spring... but each year I get decent sized leeks..
It's a patience game!!

**cazp** · 05-05-2013, 07:16 PM

... I went ahead and sowed some beginning of this week. Any ideas when they might be pencil thickness to transplant? - (wonderingn if I have time to use the space I plan for them, for some baby leaf salad in the meantime)

**rustylady** · 05-05-2013, 08:32 PM

End of June is usual planting out time for leeks. Might be later this year with the rubbish weather we had earlier.

**Tripmeup** · 06-05-2013, 08:28 AM

I think it was later than June when I transplanted mine last year... You will know by looking at them when they need to be moved on to the ground tho..

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