care of leeks

[hawthorns]

Care of Leeks
Leaves which grow too long can be trimmed back slightly so that they do not rest on the ground. Cut the long dark leaves back by about 5 cm (2 in) in early summer and again in mid summer, and a third time if it is necessary, in early autumn.

do people practise this method

[piskieinboots]

This is my first year at leeks but will look at doing that now

[sewer rat]

Care of Leeks
Leaves which grow too long can be trimmed back slightly so that they do not rest on the ground. Cut the long dark leaves back by about 5 cm (2 in) in early summer and again in mid summer, and a third time if it is necessary, in early autumn.

do people practise this method

Nope !!
I start my leeks off about 30 - 35 to a 1 litre pot, and when they are big enough to plant out, I take the clump out the pot, trim the roots to about 1", seperate the leeks and drop them into dibbed holes about 4" - 6" deep then they are watered in. Apart from weeding, once maybe twice, the next time they get looked at is lifting time. Never had any problems - yet !!

[piskieinboots]

So what is the thinking behind trimming several times?

[BrideXIII]

I am with Piskie on this, i get the trimming the roots bit, seen that on GW et al, but what is the thinking behind trimming the leaves?
I am always wary of trimming leaves on ANYTHING in growing time, its where a plant absorbs all its energy for growing?

[lynda66]

well if i had any leeks to cut ....... i need to work on the actual germination problem before i try killing them by cutting bits off lol

[zazen999]

It's only if the leaves fall over, when they do - soil can get in and work it's way down so I suppose it keeps them clean. I do chop mine, but only if they are dragging on the ground.

[JennieAtkinson]

Well I grow mine the same as Sewer Rat and its never failed me yet. In fact sometimes they are the last veg to get planted, as they manage to keep themselves growing in their pot for ages whilst I find a space for them.

Got about 20 in the open bed in the tunnel now just tootling along nicely and I'm sure (as other years) they will have a quick spurt of growth in April/May and alow pulling in June. I have never ever trimmed a leaf.

[vegnut]

I have seen it done, but didnt see any benefits at the end of the year, they all looked the same on different plots. Still waiting for mine to thicken up more before i start pulling. Erm, i mean digging.

[Two_Sheds]

I don't like creating more work for myself - so I won't be trimming no leek leaves three times a year

[piskieinboots]

I do have a mass of green growth (sorry Lynda!) but having read all the comments here I will leave them to it

[lottie dolly]

i was advised of cutting them down a bit,a few weeks ago,by reason of,it supposed to help with rust,as the leaves not toutching the soil,also it is said to make the leeks grow stronger,this came down the line from an old timer who grows good crops,i have done my ones,as we have a bit of rust on our site,they look fine,only anorexic?

[piskieinboots]

vaseline - that's what you need for rust

[zazen999]

oh gawd...I need to close this down and go out or I'll be in trouble again.

[lynda66]

vaseline - that's what you need for rust

oh god not again lol