leeks

[Snadger]

A dibber makes a hole in the compost like sticking your finger in!

For planting leeks I use a wooden stake and bash it in the ground about 6 inches deep. The leek is then carefully placed in this hole with the roots underneath (they tend to sprawl about a bit), then fill the hole with water. Job done.

Is this 'roots underneath' the same as Nicks green side up or is this a different technique?

[ysb33r]

Someone else on the 'Vine recommended sowing them in toilet rolls.

I am trying a modified version of this. I sowed single seeds into paper pots and slotted the toilet rolls over the paper ports. In this way I don't have to struggle sowing down a 1/3-full roll.

The rest of the theory goes that when it comes to planting time, one just have to make hole and plant the t/r inside. Water goes inside the t/r and as the leek grows the t/r can be fill with more soil. That should yield a reasonable blanched steam as well.

[Earthbabe]

Thats exactly what I do and most of the potleek growers who grow for show, also do!

It's all to do with the strain of the leek, which is bred to have a certain amount of white (6" in Newcastle for two leeks, and 5.5" in Northumberland for three leeks to a tight button) Once in the ground, blanching a pot leek does little to lengthen the white!

Blanch leeks are a different animal though and they are 'blanched' with all manner of apparatus!

Snadger, pardon my southern softy ignorance but what have buttons to do with leeks?