Leeks - differences in varieties?

[Farmer_Gyles]

I'm growing 3 varieties of leeks - Bandit, Musselburgh and Autumn Giant
They're all very much like baby spring onions at the moment

Are they all much the same? Are they all properly winter hardy? Will they all be ok in the ground right through till spring? Or should I expect to lift and use one variety before the others?

[Paulottie]

There are late and early varieties but in Surrey I suspect they will all stand very well in winter. Just a matter of which ones bulk up first...the AG I guess.... Musselburgh, a bluish hardy late winter leek, if I remember right....not sure bout Bandit, not tried. Really, although big leeks are impressive to sell or show; the smaller ones with a long blanch are more tender to eat.

[gojiberry]

I have grown five different varieties this year just to try and spread the season. Some of the older varieties are better at withstanding the onslaught of winter. One good way of telling hardiness is by colour, the darker green the foliage the hardier the plant.

Ian