Last years leeks!

[caz999]

Hi all
This is my second year of growing veg, last year was a disaster, but we live and learn! Anyway I planted some shop bought leek plants last year, early June I think, and as I was over keen to cram as much into my tiny plot as pos, not realizing how big things would get! the leeks got totally over-shadowed and fell over! but they weren`t actually dead so I left them where they were! and in the last month they have straightened up and actually look as if they are growing. So my question is, will they grow into an edible crop, if so do I need to do anything to them and how will I know when to harvest OR should I just pull them out and use the valuable space for something else?
Thanks in advance for any advice, the lives of my leeks are in your hands!!!

Caz

[mandyballantyne]

Hi Caz,

I have a similar problem! Bought leek plants last year as I was late getting somewhere to plant.

They started to grow but not much bigger than spring onions, so left them in the ground over winter. THey seem to be growing now, can they be eaten?

Hope we both get to munch them sometime soon, Mandy

[pigletwillie]

Leeks planted last year will indeed grow this year but will only to run to seed.

I would either harvest what you can of them sooner rather than later or dig them up and compost them and start afresh. If you have a small plot buy new seed rather than trying to save the seed from the ones you have in the ground now. It will be better use of your ground and new seed will perform. whereas your saved seed may be of unknown quality or provenance.

[JennieAtkinson]

I have had some leeks overwintering in the polytunnel (late sowing and then couldn't get them planted anywhere!) and they haven't done anything all winter but bucked up about four weeks ago. I gave them a bit of a feed with some chicken poo pellets and gave them a good water and they are now of a good size to harvest and are not going to seed yet. So if you have got a bit of time before you need to pull them out it might be a good idea to give them a bit of a feed and see if they bulk up a bit.

[mandyballantyne]

Not going to seed yet and don't need the space for a few weeks, might try a feed and see what happens. Nothing ventured.....

[Snadger]

Leeks are a biennial and flower in the second year. The flowers are quite pretty but if left in the ground they rob the ground of vital minerals. As long as they haven't got seed heads on they are quite edible though and if the ground isn't needed straight away you may as well utilise them!

[nick the grief]

If you cut the flowers off the flower head you get little leeklets form (pips or Grass they are called) and you can remove these carefully, plant them up and they will be a clone of Mum.

I guess thats what you do with your pot leeks isn't it Geordie?

The flowers doo look nice though a sort of pinky colour and the bees will luv em.

[heebiejeebie]

I have some leftover from last year that overwintered on the plot - they seem to be OK and will gradually be eaten over the next month or so.

[alldigging]

Leeks are a biennial and flower in the second year. The flowers are quite pretty but if left in the ground they rob the ground of vital minerals. As long as they haven't got seed heads on they are quite edible though and if the ground isn't needed straight away you may as well utilise them!

Does that mean eating seeding leeks is better for you as they have absorbed more nutrients?

(Have been reading about leek pips hence the commenting on this old thread)

[Bigmallly]

In my humble opinion, I wouldn't thing Leeks that are in flower/seed would be edible.

[dogsbody]

They tend to go woody don't they? At least that what happened to mine in the past. This year's though are nice and tasty atm.

[alldigging]

They tend to go woody don't they? At least that what happened to mine in the past. This year's though are nice and tasty atm.

Mine are too small to eat at the moment.
Hence wanting a good start for next year!

[Jay22]

Mine are tiny too...so is it ok to leave them over winter?

[Alison]

Mine are tiny too...so is it ok to leave them over winter?

I only grow for a winter crop but some are more tender. They won't however grow over winter (too cold and insufficient light) but will do a bit of a spurt in spring before bolting.

[Jay22]

Thanks Alison although having read your answer I think I've asked that question somewhere here before! Jings, the old age is fast approaching!