Help with leeks

[grannymem]

I've just noticed that a pot of leeks that I was waiting to put in the ground have developed flower heads (not open yet). They are not particulaarly tall and still about pencil thin. Is this because of the last 3 weeks of sunny weather or a lack of rain?

I'm guessing that it I were to plant them out now the damage has been already done so it might be pointless to do anything. Do I just abandon them or stick them in salad as a kind of spring onion or is it worth sticking them in the ground now?

[Aberdeenplotter]

Leeks are normally biennial but will bolt in the first year if stressed. A period of drought will stress them. When were they sown? Was it this year? Whatever, you are not too late to re-sow. It used to be the done thing to plant the winter leeks in the ground cleared of early spuds so seeds grown now will be ready by then.

[grannymem]

They were sown this year (early Feb) and others sown at same time seem fine. Do I just compost these or can anyone suggest useful ways of using them?
Many thanks