Planting out leeks

[chris]

I've got a few leeks that are about 3-4 inches tall on my window sil (south facing, kitchen - quite warm in there). Do I need to harden them off before I plant them out? Should I wait a bit longer as the soil in the beds seems a bit cold - probably going to sow some direct too for a test and poss later crop.

Thanks

[shirlthegirl43]

How fat are they? They should be about pencil thickness before planting out.

[Alison]

It's probably a bit hot inside for your leeks, mine are in pots in the unheated greenhouse. I'm growing them on until they are about pencil thickness before planting out which works well for me.

[chris]

Ah, their not that thick yet- thanks for that. I'll move them into a cooler room I think.. then on into the GH when it turns up

[zazen999]

You can stick them outdoors with no protection now; they really won't need any indoors heat.

Maybe pop an upturned plastic container over the top...but that's about it. Have you got anything resembling a cold frame?

[Paulottie]

Woooooah there Andrea! I agree that a cold frame is fine.... but don't just chuck em outside from a heated room. At least put them out every day for a week then try the nights with a lid then ...etc.

Normally they are set out in July unless your into Summer showing even then May....so no hurry really. As Shirl says pencil thick is the target.

Mine were started in polystyrene boxes, without heat in GH., about 6 weeks ago. looking really good. Now sowing more.

[Snadger]

The show men around here never plant their leeks out until the first week in June.............and thats in a trench, in a polytunnel without sides!

Mine (which aren't for showing) will probably go out about the same time as my onions in late April!

[zazen999]

Woooooah there Andrea! I agree that a cold frame is fine.... but don't just chuck em outside from a heated room. At least put them out every day for a week then try the nights with a lid then ...etc.

Normally they are set out in July unless your into Summer showing even then May....so no hurry really. As Shirl says pencil thick is the target.

Mine were started in polystyrene boxes, without heat in GH., about 6 weeks ago. looking really good. Now sowing more.

You're too soft.

All mine go straight outside into an unheated greenhouse from germination indoors. I agree they don't need to go in the ground anytime soon.

[esrikandan]

Yeah - mine just go straight outside into a cold frame after being indoors. Seem fine to me even despite the cold nights we're having! My onions from seed were also put out at the same time.

[Paulottie]

You're too soft.

All mine go straight outside into an unheated greenhouse from germination indoors. I agree they don't need to go in the ground anytime soon.

Bloomin soft Southerners!

nothin' like a tough sinewy northern leek

[chris]

I have a load of bell clotches, and am planing to built my own cold frames, but if there's no rush then that's one job I can do later thankfully

They're no where near pencil thickness, they've sort of grown out of their seedling leaf, which looks like it's being shedded off, hanging off to the side - and a longer leaf is erect now... and as said between 3-4inches tall!

Cor, what a sentence for innuendos

[butter fingers]

my leeks go from seed trays in a mini green house to outside in a wast paper bucket where they are planted out in handfulls at different times so i always have a continous supply to eat
mine never get to full size cause they get eaten whatever size they happen to be at the time i want some.

[Paulottie]

You can use them like spring onions, and baby leeks...I think 'King Richard ' are a particularly good variety for that.

I still like to have some standing now though ....such a good thing through the winter.

[zazen999]

I've still got loads standing; another month at least hopefully before they sprout flowerheads.....in which case it will be leek soup all round I think

[Alison]

Yah, my Jaune de Poitou leeks have germinated at last - not really relevant to this thread but it made me very happy so thought I'd share....