Help with leeks

[zazen999]

It can help to create more white......the deeper the hole, the longer the white part of the leek. The holes are filled with water and allowed to seep away. This creates a permanent wet area for the leek to establish new roots and protects them from wind rock which would slow down the rooting process!

I thought Fi was asking about width of hole....but it all adds to the mix. I suppose the bigger they are when you put into final position, the deeper they can go!

Cor lumme! Learn something new everyday Cheers Zazen. This will explain why my current leeks are skinny, tasty but skinny. And when would one errm finger ones onions? I am NOT going to make juvenille jokes at this point........*giggles

I believe around may/june time...when it starts getting hot and the surface of the bed starts getting hard [no rain to keep it soft]...but I have to say since Mrs Dobby brought it to my attention last year, I do it regularly.

[FionaH]

I thought Fi was asking about width of hole....but it all adds to the mix. I suppose the bigger they are when you put into final position, the deeper they can go!

I believe around may/june time...when it starts getting hot and the surface of the bed starts getting hard [no rain to keep it soft]...but I have to say since Mrs Dobby brought it to my attention last year, I do it regularly.

Actually I was asking why holes at all?! Both your answers were exemplary! So thank you very muchly. Will be off to rummage the onions tomorrow

[womble]

This lady does videos about things to do on the allotment.
YouTube - Transfer your leeks - Claire's allotment part 42

Useful stuff for beginners.

[Scottishnewbie]

thanks for info Rat, really helpful

[kate&rob]

amazing what you find on you tube! really helpful

[SlugLobber]

A really informative post, thanks! I didn't realise that about blanching the leeks. I had sown in situ (I'm a leek virgin). Luckily, there is enough room to 'earth up' to blanche. Given the above info, should I finger my leeks after earthing up? They are in worked compost, so it isn't densely packed.

[Pumpkin Becki]

A really informative post, thanks! I didn't realise that about blanching the leeks. I had sown in situ (I'm a leek virgin). Luckily, there is enough room to 'earth up' to blanche. Given the above info, should I finger my leeks after earthing up? They are in worked compost, so it isn't densely packed.

It might be just as easy to lift the young ones, rake over the soil and then do as Zazen and Sewer Rat say for transplanting. They are so robust it won't do them any harm.

[zazen999]

What Becki says....I'd lift them and replant.

[RobintheBobin]

Last year wasn't a great one for my leeks - I prepared them beautifully in deep wide holes filled with water and I trimmed their tops and roots...this seemed to curb their growth totally This year I'm not going to doing any trimming and see what happens.

My next door neighbour has also advised muck and lots of it which is handy as I had spread a whole load of composted manure on the bed in January.

Fingers crossed...

[womble]

Has anyone here ever done a side by side test, with trimming some roots and topping some, but doing nothing to others?
Never bothered trimming anything myself, but some people swear by it.

[sez]

sorry, thread hijak

I don't normally grow leeks (or for that matter anything winter-y) as I have *extremely* limited space (2 small beds and pots on the patio) but am hoping to grow a bit over winter this year. Will it cause problems if I grow leeks (and for that matter some kale) in pots (getting bigger as needed) til I can put them in when peas/beans come out? I know it's not ideal but better than nothing!

[zazen999]

It what people do with spuds all the time....

[smallblueplanet]

Snadger posted some pictures of a similar thing - leeks/kale in pots.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...psb_30770.html

Maybe he'll enlighten us both about how he does it?

[gojiberry]

You should be able to keep your leeks in pots till you get some space, just give them enough room to continue growing. If it is late in the season when you come to plant them out don't disturb the roots just plant straight from the pot into a deep hole and earth up.

Ian