Moving Leeks ?

[Martin Amery]

Hi, can anyone help.
I am quite new to gardening (recently retired) earlier this year planted some Leeks bought from the local market.
They are doing quite well – But I now find they are really in the wrong place.
Can I move them, or should I leave them well alone.

Martin

Oop's should have put this in the Allotment Advice Forum (don't know how to move it)

[Headfry]

Morning Martin and welcome to the vine.

How big are the leeks and how long have the been in their spot for?

I would try really hard to leave them well alone if they are quite established.

Good to have you with us!

[Martin Amery]

Hi and thanks for your reply – yes they are doing pretty well probably planted them April/May.
I have expanded the plot and they would have done better in the new part.
But they are doing OK and rather than risk it I think I will take your advice and leave them alone.

It looks like a good forum with plenty of tips

Thanks
Martin

[Kristen]

"they are doing pretty well probably planted them April/May"

That's pretty early [I think ??], I reckon they will be getting ready for harvest, so best not to move again.

[Mikey]

have you moved them at all, or are they in their original location?

Leeks do benefit from being moved to increase the amount of white at their base, but it is best to do this early on when they are about pencil thick. I am assuming these are a little more established than that.

[Kristen]

"have you moved them at all, or are they in their original location?"

I thought that too, but assumed they had been as they were bought as plants off the market - but maybe the market sold seeds

[Martin Amery]

Just been down and checked – they are bigger than a pencil but not as big as a marker pen?
I bought them as small plants in trays.

[lynda66]

i was sent some by another grape at just over pencil sized, so obviously they were moved, and survived everything royal mail threw at them, and they are all still alive and kicking, though a couple of outside leaves have gone yellow, the inside bits look very healthy

[Martin Amery]

hi lynda66
When did you plant yours

[lynda66]

dunno when they were originally planted, but i planted them here a week or so ago.

[Mikey]

When you transplanted from the seed tray, did you make a hole and drop them in and fill with water, or did you just prick out and plant on. I would suggest you could move them, but be carefull when disturbing the roots to get a good root ball.

[Martin Amery]

umm - can't remember how I planted them, I think I just popped them in and firmed them up.
Have only just found out about puddling them in

[Mikey]

umm - can't remember how I planted them, I think I just popped them in and firmed them up.
Have only just found out about puddling them in

Thats ok blue, try transplanting some, but don't fill the hole in, they'll fill out to take over the hole, and the rain and worms will fill it for you over time anyway. This veg lark is all about trial and error, but now't lost yet, so its still good.

[zazen999]

Hi Martin
i move my leeks around, the last lot were moved 3 times before they got to their final position. They don't suffer at all; in fact sometimes it spurs them on to grow quicker than the ones I don't move.

Plant them as deep as you can, within reason, and earth up to blanch the stems - or puddle in if you can. I can't sometimes as the soil is too clayey and lumpy for it to be effective.

But, one word of warning if you move them; they tend to bolt earlier. I just sow more regularly and harvest them when smaller; they are usually softer and sweeter the younger they are anyway.

[lynda66]

Thats ok blue, try transplanting some, but don't fill the hole in, they'll fill out to take over the hole, and the rain and worms will fill it for you over time anyway. This veg lark is all about trial and error, but now't lost yet, so its still good.

i didn't do that, i just dug a hole, and planted them, then walked on the soil