Recommend me a leek or two

[eirish]

The ongoing winter weather has me thinking of winter veg, so have decided I need to have a go at some leeks. I'm thinking I'd like two varieties, one early sort that I can start harvesting as baby leeks and one that will stand through the winter. Any faves to recommend?

[bearded bloke]

That is pretty much what I said to the man on the DTBrown stand at the EGS,came away with Porvite for baby leeks & Electra for winter hardy full size leeks

[rustylady]

You can harvest any type of leek early (baby leeks). All leeks are hardy so should stand well through the winter. Only problem might be harvesting them if the ground is frozen.

Musselburgh is my favourite leek, but this year I got some free Lyon Prizetaker so I will be growing them as well.

[Two_Sheds]

Whatever you go for, remember not to pull them up but rather to slice them off just below the soil level. That way, they'll regrow from the roots and you get more leeks for your money

[spanish_gardener]

What about Leek Zermatt? This is the earliest of the open pollinated varieties which makes it one of the best for harvesting as baby leeks but it also grows into excellent full sized leeks: this means that you can enjoy feasting on it over a long harvest season.

Never tried myself because I always go for Musselburgh and Blue Solaise.

[Peppermint]

Another one for 'Bleu de Solaise' Blue Winter Leek from Real Seeds. I've never grown leeks before and these have been brilliant. Down to the last half dozen now I'm sowing lots of these this year

[kathyd]

I've sown Bleu de Solaise, and also Jaune de s'omething beginning with P' (soz, it's an age thing), for the past couple of years and they've both been great. Still happily standing in the garden as we speak, although the bleu are meant to be more winter hardy (haven't noticed any difference myself).

[zazen999]

Another one for 'Bleu de Solaise' Blue Winter Leek from Real Seeds. I've never grown leeks before and these have been brilliant. Down to the last half dozen now I'm sowing lots of these this year

If you leave those half dozen in - or dig up and plant them somewhere as a perennial - you will get leek seeds every year so no need to ever buy them again. Just wait till the seeds are looking black, slice the head off and pop it into a shoebox somewhere warmish to carry on drying out - then you can cut the seed ends off and sow them the next spring.

Cut the flower stalk back to the ground after harvesting the seeds and it will regrow the next year.

[Peppermint]

Oooooo I didn't know that. Fantastic. Thank you zazen999

[Moopmoop]

The only leeks I have grown are Musselburgh, they were reliable even for an absolute beginner like me, I did nothing to them other than plant in a bucket and water. They even got flooded a few times when the bucket filled up with rain water, note to self for this year, more drainage holes. I still got a decent crop.

[Likac66]

I'm new to leeks this year as well. I have just planted Musselburgh in pots in the coldframe today. I intend to plant Zermat straight into the ground (when it warms up a bit) for baby leeks as apparently they are a good variety particularly for baby leeks.

[Tripmeup]

Bulgarian Giant has worked well for me, as well as Musselburgh....

[kathyd]

I never thought about moving leeks and planting as perennials in a flower border - that's a lovely idea Zaz . And now I have the beginnings of flower borders for the first time, I need things to stick in them! Perfect solution!

[PyreneesPlot]

I've grown Monstrouso de Carentan (amongst others) for the last few years - put on good early growth despite not being sown until early April, stand well even under the snow, a few are just thinking about bolting now, they taste good and are even sweeter out of the freezer.

[VirginVegGrower]

I've sown Bleu de Solaise, and also Jaune de s'omething beginning with P' (soz, it's an age thing), for the past couple of years and they've both been great. Still happily standing in the garden as we speak, although the bleu are meant to be more winter hardy (haven't noticed any difference myself).

Jaune de Poitou and you is en France I also liked this one plus Bleu de Solaise and Monstrueux de Charentan. All very tasty.