Leeks

[leoblackcat]

Are there any varieties of leek that i can plant now to over-winter? All the ones I look at say to plant by July - have I missed the boat?

[zazen999]

Have you tried looking at nurseries/garden centres? I saw a load of nice 8 inch high seedlings last week.

You are a tad late, anything sown now really will be too small to eat before it bolts next spring.

[leoblackcat]

Ok thanks Zazen - just trying to think of a few veggies to put in the new lotty which will overwinter. Might just be brassicas, garlic and shallots then....leeks next year.

[zazen999]

If you sow leeks regularly from December to about June; you will have leeks for about 6 months of the year all through winter.

My December sown ones [which I actually forgot about until last week], are about ready now.......and I expect to have them until about Apri/May and the remaining ones will be left to go to seed for future years.

Last years ones left to go to seed are going to be ready for collection in the next 4 weeks; they seem to take forever.

[Dottie]

If you sow leeks regularly from December to about June; you will have leeks for about 6 months of the year all through winter.

My December sown ones [which I actually forgot about until last week], are about ready now.......and I expect to have them until about Apri/May and the remaining ones will be left to go to seed for future years.

Last years ones left to go to seed are going to be ready for collection in the next 4 weeks; they seem to take forever.

Can you sow direct into outdoor pots or beds or does it need to be under glass for Dec to Feb sowings?

[Alison]

I "found" a load of quite reasonably sized seedlings the other day in the back garden and took them down to the lottie on Sunday to plant out. Fingers crossed they'll cope OK wtih the lack of previous attention!

[zazen999]

Can you sow direct into outdoor pots or beds or does it need to be under glass for Dec to Feb sowings?

Under glass or they won't germinate for ages.....Or in modules under a clear plastic cover, or a coldframe.....or pop a plastic bag over the pot and tie it down well.

[Dottie]

Under glass or they won't germinate for ages.....Or in modules under a clear plastic cover, or a coldframe.....or pop a plastic bag over the pot and tie it down well.

Sounds like a good use of my larger plastic propagators during a time that I'd usually have them in storage. Spreading out sowing times makes things sound easier too, will have to see if it works in practice.