Leeks

[Bill HH]

I seem to have sown my leek seeds a bit late this year, they are currently just poking their heads out of the compost. I can go and buy leek seedlings that are 4 to 5 inches long from the garden centre. my question is are my own leeks going to be too late for a decent crop or should i stick with them.

[messygarden]

Oh leeks will b fine, not late at all i think. you can leave them in the soil during the winter. Pulled my last ones in february 😄 no point buying seedlings....

[Kristen]

I seem to have sown my leek seeds a bit late this year, they are currently just poking their heads out of the compost. I can go and buy leek seedlings that are 4 to 5 inches long from the garden centre. my question is are my own leeks going to be too late for a decent crop or should i stick with them.

Haven't' sown mine yet (although I am past my intended sowing date)

Mrs K threw my tray of Leek seedlings out last Summer (in mistake for throwing out the Onions seedlings that I had not got around to planting - how could anyone possibly confuse the two?!!!)

I bought some Leek seedlings in August (from memory - either way it was blinking late). They were more-or-less Pencil thickness, and they have been big enough to eat over the winter neigh-problem. Wouldn't win any prizes though ... but tasty nonetheless although. If they are small at harvest time then just pull a few more up for the pot each week

[Bill HH]

Yes i know I am panicing, something I am always advising others not to do.

[PyreneesPlot]

Mine are rarely bigger than a darning needle when they go in the ground in June but can reach anything between the size of a knitting needle and the leg of an elephant by harvesting!

[chris]

Mine haven't poked their heads up through the trays yet.. Still have a few in the ground from last year though that I'll stretch out.

[chilli_grower]

mine are around 8 inches tall in greenhouse, maybe I sowed too early!!!!!

[Kristen]

Still have a few in the ground from last year though that I'll stretch out.

I have quite a few still ... I've been wondering how long I can leave them as fresh-veg, and when I should convert all the rest to soup ... and freeze it

Suggestions would be welcome

[chris]

When you start to see them flower

In all honesty, I don't know. I've probably 20-30 left, I'm taking 5 or so home a week at the moment - no signs of flowering yet mind!

Of course, you could try the propagtion via leek grass or whatever it's called? When you trim the flowers off, and the flower head will start to grow leeks from the top, rather than set seed...

[Kristen]

When you start to see them flower

Which reminds me ...

Every year when we still have some left over I promise myself that I will transplant some to the ornamental part of the garden, and enjoy the flowers. I don't know if they would resent being transplanted though?

Of course, you could try the propagtion via leek grass or whatever it's called? When you trim the flowers off, and the flower head will start to grow leeks from the top, rather than set seed...

<Checks if Date=01Apr!!>

Never heard of that before, sounds like a fabby idea to try

[chris]

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ass_60914.html

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...leeks_347.html

[Kristen]

Thanks for that, I'm up for giving it a go

[Alison]

The ones I did last year were my best ever and I've still got quite a lot in the ground. Am surprised they're not bolting yet though as it's been lovely. Might pull a load tomorrow and make them into soup with the last of the slightly spongy stored spuds.


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[PyreneesPlot]

Mine are just starting to send up flower stems this week - as it was 30 plus degrees last week I don't blame them. The rest will be dug, cleaned, chopped and frozen on trays ASAP.

[kathyd]

Mine are definitely beginning to look a bit sorry for themselves, and I'll pull them up shortly - but last year I left a few thanks to Alison or Rusty Lady's advice (sorry, can't remember which of you it was...), just to see if they'd seed themselves in situ. They were amazing! I didn't transplant them, just left them where they'd been growing, and planted around them. They grew positively stately and towered above the squashes and things underneath, and then flowered - fabulous! The bees worshipped them, and even the drying heads looked pretty. I left them to 'grass', and some did root, but sadly seem to have died off over the winter. I also moved a few into pots in a cold frame, and those seem to have survived OK, and I put a whole head into a bed in the polytunnel where a few have rooted into the soil and some have died off, probably through lack of water. I now intend to do the same thing again, if only for the beautiful flowers . Thanks Alison and/or RL!