Leeks ?

[Kirk]

Everything I read, and do as well, says that we sow leeks in pots, let them grow and get to some size, then make a hole and drop them in.

Anyone sow direct into the area where they are going to grow?
If so what are the results like?

I notice that in a pot they are very much on the surface and not at all deep. Basically they tend to fall over. One or two have pointed the root upwards and the leaf bit downwards.

Reason I ask is simply that I have (as normal) germinated some in a pot to transplant into the ground. And in the last few years all have failed miserably. So the idea crossed my mind that I could plant the germinated ones and between them drop a couple of seeds and see what transpires. Kind of covering both simple options.

Just wondering what the direct sow option is like.

[Jay-ell]

The time that they usually spend in a pot could be used to grow something else in the ground that they are going into. Leeks can go in after the early spuds come out .

[veggiechicken]

You could sow alternate rows of leeks and something like carrots or beetroot that would be cropped before the leeks needed more room.

[Miss Mousetrousers]

I know you can direct sow spring onions but haven't thought about the rest of the onion family.

[Penellype]

I've direct sown leeks, dropping 2 or 3 seeds at intervals of a couple of inches apart. At my friend's they grew really well, the only issue being that unless you either transplant them or earth them up you don't get a blanched stem.

When I tried this at the allotment the seeds germinated and the slugs and snails ate the lot.

[Kirk]

I've direct sown leeks, dropping 2 or 3 seeds at intervals of a couple of inches apart. At my friend's they grew really well, the only issue being that unless you either transplant them or earth them up you don't get a blanched stem.

When I tried this at the allotment the seeds germinated and the slugs and snails ate the lot.

The blanching of the stem was a thought somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind. Mine just seem to die before a slug or snail goes near them. As mentioned they just fold over and compost themselves. Nothig appears to have munched on them.

You could sow alternate rows of leeks and something like carrots or beetroot that would be cropped before the leeks needed more room.

It is not room for the leeks or something else with the leeks, just would like a leek or two. They seem to give up and fade away.

Idea was could I both plant out some and sow some and maybe, just may be, get a leek, from one option or the other.
First year I tried them they were fine, since then pathetic.

[veggiechicken]

Of course you can plant out some and sow some - but whether you'll get a leek or not, I can't predict!



All the leeks in this picture have been grown by leaving bolting leeks in place or by replanting the root bases after cutting off the edible parts.
The clumps of small leeks on the right have grown from a flower head that has fallen over.

I think we fuss too much about growing leeks and they're a lot tougher than we give them credit for.

[Jungle Jane]

The clump of leeks with these hyacinth were from leeks left to flower & seed,I never watered them or knew what was happening,this was when I first noticed back in March,loads of weeds about too -