why can't i grow leeks??

**piskieinboots** · 11-09-2008, 02:46 PM

here ya go hun....there's even words behind the picture

**lynda66** · 11-09-2008, 03:03 PM

i have great soil in the leek bed, i walked on them when i planted they aren't too wet or dry, and everything else germinated ...... and that site is telling lies easy my bum

**bluemoon** · 11-09-2008, 03:08 PM

I have this theory that we all have a mental block when it comes to one, simple veg. With me it's carrots, my ole Grandad - who could grow ANYTHING - couldn't get sage to germinate to save his life and the other Gramps could germinate tomatoes and even grow them to the point where they set fruit, but never once did one turn red for him. You may have to accept that leeks are yours, then find out what your neighbour's problem veg is and grow loads of that so you can do a swap for their surplus leeks.

**zazen999** · 11-09-2008, 03:18 PM

You CAN grow leeks, they are easy.

But, they do take a while - are you leaving them long enough?

When you say you planted them in the bed; did you sow them straight into the bed? If so, the slugs have had them.

**OverWyreGrower** · 11-09-2008, 03:39 PM

I've never grown them from seed, but rather bought ickle baby leeks from Marshalls et al and planted them that way.... they are coming on quite well, despite being under a couple of inches of water currently

**lynda66** · 11-09-2008, 03:42 PM

Originally posted by bluemoon View Post

then find out what your neighbour's problem veg is and grow loads of that so you can do a swap for their surplus leeks.

unfortunately i haven't got any veggie neighbours

Originally posted by zazen999 View Post

You CAN grow leeks, they are easy.

But, they do take a while - are you leaving them long enough?

When you say you planted them in the bed; did you sow them straight into the bed? If so, the slugs have had them.

i tucked them up under the duvet with a hot water bottle

in the time since i planted one lot of leeks, all the onions next to them are growing really well and are actually bigger than the ones in the back garden planted in may ........ the last lot i planted in rows next to the big leeks, and since then i've been harvesting peas planted at the same time next to them.

I don't think it's slugs, cos the beds are in the middle of the lawn surrounded by much more yummy veg, that haven't been munched, and i can't see slugs crawling through everything else to get to something that hasn't even sprouted and not even touching the peas that are up nets either side. as well as that, there aren't many slugs in the front garden.

**lynda66** · 11-09-2008, 03:45 PM

Originally posted by OverWyreGrower View Post

I've never grown them from seed, but rather bought ickle baby leeks from Marshalls et al and planted them that way.... they are coming on quite well, despite being under a couple of inches of water currently

unfortunately, there aren't any garden centres near here, so small plants isn't really an option, as i haven't got a car either and the nearest ones aren't on a bus route

**zazen999** · 11-09-2008, 04:21 PM

Originally posted by lynda66 View Post

I don't think it's slugs, cos the beds are in the middle of the lawn surrounded by much more yummy veg, that haven't been munched, and i can't see slugs crawling through everything else to get to something that hasn't even sprouted and not even touching the peas that are up nets either side. as well as that, there aren't many slugs in the front garden.

In theory - that sounds good; but slugs do go for the small, baby [easy and succulent] seedlings. the worst ones are keel slugs which travel through the ground; other plants won't keep them out [honestly!].

My trick with leeks:
Sow into a pot, keep moist but not wet. By this I mean about 5 plants per square inch of pot surface.
Leave outside, to the elements [don't mollycoddle].

When about 2 inches high, tip out of the pot and plant somewhere sunny all in one; don't split them up.

When about 4 inches high, that's the time I transplant to the final position.

I then plant out, about 6 inches in between, as deep as possible. Sometimes they will go into trenches, so that the soil can be mounded up for a longer white stem. Otherwise, I will earth up as it grows.

A few months later, they can be harvested.

**lynda66** · 11-09-2008, 04:24 PM

* sulks at having to go and buy pots*

there were loads of other seeds planted at the same time though, so they would have slimed through tasty turnips, onions, swedes, broccoli, cauli, tomato, potato and peas seedlings to get to them, and i never even saw any come above the surface

i've got some different variety seeds now, so i suppose i could have yet another go.

**zazen999** · 11-09-2008, 05:15 PM

don't buy pots; don't you eat yogurt???

**lynda66** · 11-09-2008, 05:52 PM

yeah, i eat yoghurt but i make it myself

maybe i can find some old bowls or something hanging around

think i'll go check and plant some later, i've got loads of spare room now the first lot of taters are up,so plenty of space for them if they grow.... i'm gonna transplant the turnips and swedes into that bed, so i will have 3 square metres to grow leeks in ...... yum ..... it's soooooo annoying, cos i really like leeks.

**zazen999** · 11-09-2008, 05:57 PM

Loo rolls, washing up liquid bottle with the top cut off; you can make paper pots with newspaper as well.

**lynda66** · 11-09-2008, 06:10 PM

oooooooo aren't you clever i just chucked a load of loo rolls on the compost, i'll go and root through and retrieve them ....

**zazen999** · 11-09-2008, 06:55 PM

Not really, just tight. I save mine up all summer in the airing cupboard; squish them flat to save space and use during the winter.

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