Too early to sow leeks indoors?

[Martin H]

There's no hurry to sow leeks for an autumn / winter crop. I do mine in a deep pot in the greenhouse in early March, they reach a nice size for planting out around the end of June.

I do find that without a deep pot the seedlings tend to stall instead of keeping on growing, so I've taken to using one of those pots that roses come in. That way the seedlings get a nice long root run and can stay in the pot till I'm ready for them.

As others have intimated, there are as many gardening opinions as there are gardeners. So when the old hands come round with well-meant advice, just smile, nod, thank them, then do it your own way.

Have fun!

[Bill Door]

Just a quick thought. If you sow a small amount of leeks now and then every three weeks you "might" be eating "baby" leeks through the summer. What a delicious thought. Good job I started 12 seeds last night in a small yoghurt pot. Let's hope I don't forget to repeat in three weeks time!!!

Bill

P.S. surprised VC hasn't mentioned this as s/he is the one doing small sowings each week!

[hortus]

Ooooh. I do like that thought. I make a lot of bacon and leek quiche in the summer.

I'll give it a go... and write in my diary for 3 weeks time

[veggiechicken]

I have a 4 week sowing rotation, hortus, but, I made it up, you won't find it in any book.
No guarantees it works either!
Only read it http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ves_91363.html if you have nothing better to do............and you can cope with the ensuing confusion.

[4Shoes]

I second that. I think the more seasoned plotholders do tend to ‘come around’ when they see that you are committed to the plot, and are making progress in the right direction. Gradually over the first year I found more and more plot holders will stop for a chat- and also seem to offer advice less frequently now that my plot isn’t 6 foot high with weeds ;-)
I heard many differing views from fellow plotholders when we first arrived- each wholeheartedly recommending their preferred way of doing things-and often conflicting with the person we had spoken to an hour earlier. All well meant, but at times a bit bewildering.
You will find that opinions will vary on here too, but with more grapes posting here than I have fellow plotholders, I often find the range of opinions is a bit more balanced!

They sound like farmers in the North East. All experts..

[Snoop Puss]

Depending on how deep your pocket is, hortus, you can buy leek seeds meant for early harvesting. Megaton, for example, gives a fair-sized leek in August and September from a late February, early March sowing. Megaton are F1s and not cheap, but there are certainly others.

Plus, as far as the old boys are concerned, there are plenty where I live. When I first started, I was quite intimidated by them all. And it seemed like they had petty competitions going, like who had picked the first tomato of the season or had grown the biggest cauliflower. Now I've got to know them a bit better, I can see that they genuinely want to be helpful and the competitions are just jesting. The longer you're there, the more they'll respect your sticking power and general gumption. And I bet they'd just melt if you were to tell them about your Dad. I did. You're doing your Dad proud. Plus, any old boy would like to think one of their children would follow in their gardening footsteps.

Hope you have a great growing year. And if in doubt, put in a couple of courgette plants. They'll give you something to fill your trug every day of the year!