First time growing Leeks, would appreciate some advice please...

[cazp]

I want to sow leeks (prizetaker) in pots in an outdoor mini unheated greenhouse next week, and later on transfer them to the 6" deep holes in the raised beds.

What is a good size pot to use and how tall should the plants be before I transfer them to the beds?

Regarding timescale, how many weeks from sowing will it be before they are an ideal size to transplant in to the beds?

Many thanks

[Peas'n'Kews]

Hey, I'm a first time leek-er too, so far have followed advice in GYO magazine (where the free seeds came from), but real life experience advice is very much appreciated!

[Capsid]

I sow direct into buckets or large pots and leave them until about May or June before planting out into holes. I would plant out earlier but I never have enough space. Don't sow to thickly as it can be difficult to separate them as they grow long roots which tangle up. For this reason I do cut the roots back and trim the tops as I find they drop into their holes more easily. I don't get big prize winning leeks so maybe my advice is not the best, they taste nice though. I would like to plant them out earlier to give them a chance to put more size on.

[Bren In Pots]

lots of info here on this thread;-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...html#post52980

[Kaiya]

Also Monty Don's videos:

'Normal' dibber method - How to plant out leeks - Projects: Fruit and vegetables - gardenersworld.com

Small cluster leeks - How to plant out leek plugs - Projects: Video projects - gardenersworld.com

I have used 36 cell module trays. These - http://kailyn.co.uk/wp-content/uploa...d-IMAG1049.jpg (these are onion sets last year, my leeks haven't come up yet).

[Currysniffa]

I sow my leeks in polystyrene boxes, I sowed about 50 seeds in the photos, my first of 3 leek sowing's this year.

02/02/12

17/02/12


Today 04/03/12

[cazp]

Hi thanks for the information I might try both the dibber and cluster methods as an experiment! instead of sowing in individual pots I will sow several in one bucket or trough - takes up less space in my mini greenhouse.

[Jardiniere]

and dont forget to leave one to go to seed.....last year i grew (not very many) leeks from my own seed ...well not my own seed...i'm not a leek ...but my own leek seed....