Transplanting overwintering leeks

[snohare]

I have some spare leeks that I was going to give to a neighbour, so that they can try growing them. They are not that big, only about pencil thickness, so I thought they would transplant well.
The only problem is, it has been dinging down snow and last night it was a hard frost - minus 9 supposedly. Tonight/tomorrow looks like being more of the same, and it may continue for who knows how long.
If I do dib these in for the folks next door, will frozen rain/ snow falling into the holes damage the roots/leaves and harm the plants ? Or are these things tough as old boots ? Anyone got experience of this problem ?
On the plus side, if my woodstove gets any hotter, I may even take off my jacket...

[Snadger]

I personally would leave them where they are until the weather settles down a bit!

[SarzWix]

I agree with Snadger, unless you can cloche/fleece them for a couple of weeks 'til they settle in a bit.

[snohare]

What I was thinking was that if I leave them where they are the ground will freeze solid with frost, and we will just have a clump of leek seedlings that don't have much room to grow they are and can't be transplanted. But they will maybe only really grow come spring anyway, will they ?

[rustylady]

Ir's a bit late to transplant. Come spring they will certainly start growing, but may run to seed very quickly.

[roitelet]

I agree with Rusty Lady, it's too late to transplant. Can you just thin them out a bit and then let the others grow and use them as baby leeks?