Leeks: how long from planting out to harvest?

[Croila]

Hi there,

I've just planted a load of leeks out in various places in my garden. My parents-in-law grew them from seed and gave me the translant leeks in pots. The leaves are probably about 6 inches or so high, and they're a very skinny pencil's width thick.

I've never attempted growing a vegetable in my life before May this year, so I'm pretty clueless - if anyone can tell me when these leeks should be ready to pull up, that would be grand!

Much appreciated, thank you,
C

[Capsid]

They are ready through winter and into spring.

[Croila]

Ah ... thank you Mark. Just wondering though, whether winter means (say) December, or February ..? Or does it just depend completely on the amount of sun, the temperature etc?

Cause if so, the weather here is so grim they probably won't be ready till 2012! :-(

[zazen999]

They start kicking off anytime between Oct/Feb depending on type of leek and/or weather. I find they start bulking up after the shortest day....

[Croila]

Thank you :-)

I guess it's just a matter of wait and see, and hope I don't kill the poor things in the meantime!

[womble]

if anyone can tell me when these leeks should be ready to pull up, that would be grand!

When they're big enough!

And don't worry, leeks are almost impossible to kill, in fact don't even look at them for weeks at a time and they will do better.......... ok maybe you might have to weed a little

[Croila]

Gosh, they're THAT easy?! I've been worrying cause my soil is very heavy clay. So I dug in some compost with added John Innes number 2, shoved the leeks in, then started worrying whether it was too fertile now. Or too acidic. I think I might have read somewhere about liming soil for leeks? Or maybe I'm just imagining that.

I know people say you learn gardening through practice, trial and error, but oh dear, I want to know everything now!!