baby leeks

[gan heather]

I planted some leeks back in winter, but had a lot of problems with them and now I'm done to about 2. I know it's too late to plant them again to get full-sized leeks, but if I sowed some now, would I be able to get some decent baby leeks?

[piskieinboots]

I'm not a leek expert, one will be along shortly, I've seen her online although I thought it was never too late to get leeks going

[zazen999]

Gan.

Last year on here, I extolled the virtues of a late sowing of leeks and was hoping for baby leeks....those same leeks are currently a good 2 inches thick and being made into risottos and cheesy leek bakes every weekend; so go for it.

[Bloomin 'eck Pisk - you're good!!!]

[tamsin]

I sowed my leeks in the beginning of May last year and even in tubs they have grown edible sized - still 3 left

[Shadylane]

I agree with above. I sowed some late - can't remember when and they're bigger than babies but not fully grown - sort of teenage leeks. Hm really should get em eaten before they bolt.

[Jillyreeves]

I would say, why not, just go for it. I will be making a cheeky final sowing this weekend.

[reetnproper]

Oh that's comforting to read. Misjudged the space I put aside for leeks (OH loves them) and despite having about 60 of them at the moment AND 2 direct sown rows (just wanted to see how they'd do, compared to pot sown ones and so far so good), I've still space for some more.

Also as the in-laws are moving up, I now need to re-think the amount of plants needed, as we'll be supplying them as well. More parsnips, carrots and beetroots going in tomorrow.

Reet
x

[COMPOST CORNER]

I sowed mine in July last year, the last dozen will come out this weekend, most are 2" thick, the biggest is about 3".

[gan heather]

Oh right, thanks! I know what I'll be doing tomorrow afternoon.

[piskieinboots]

[Bloomin 'eck Pisk - you're good!!!]

I am?
oh yes, I am

[dincur]

Hi Gan Heather. Ya you should be able to get some decent crop out of them. What I find is that its the period between late feb and late april these will bulk up(if you're soil is half decent and the climate is favorable). I'm from down south in Ireland and we normally, even this year get a hot march- april. This time there is very little anyway in the garden so experiment and think of it as a blessing. Have heard of some gardeners sowing keeks in a 10 litre plastic pot. Make sure compost is clean and free draining. the height of the pot enables them to put on an unhindered long root run without checking. Best of luck. Dincur

[theusualsuspect]

Leeks never cease to amaze me how long they last (nor how long it takes for them to get established in the first year).

They do seem to need a long growing season though, but they just stand like sentinels in the plot over winter. I still have a load left from last year and the chap in the plot next to mine was picking some out a couple of weekends back that had been in the ground for 2 years..... Not suggesting that as best practice mind

(Don't grow them where you've grown Garlic previously in the previous year).

Edited to add :

Didn't really address your question wrt baby leeks... sorry.