Leek depth

[Greenleaves]

My leeks are just about ready for the plot, maybe 7 days away. Last year I followed the recommended planting depth of 6 inches ( sorry its in old money) but a number were quite gritty, I am assuming it was because soil covered the growing point. Does everyone else plant at that depth? I am considering only 4 inch depth this year and wonder if it will help?

These were just watered in if that helps

[Bigmallly]

I plant mine around 6", you can also place a 6" length of pipe over it which extends the blanching.

[Greenleaves]

Is that at a particular stage of growth BM?

[Bigmallly]

Not really, you can put it on when planting or wait till it gets a little mature. I think I put mine on when they got around a half inch diameter.

[Alison]

I don't plant mine for quite a while yet so they're probably a bit taller but think I tend to go for about 6" ish


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[Greenleaves]

Thank you both

[AllInContainers]

So the 6" depth is purely for blanching?

I'm trying a couple of giant bulgarian leeks this year (literally just the two) which are apparently self-blanching. I've only planted them shallow, is there any issues likely to occur other than the blanching aspect?

[Bigmallly]

I'm also growing them AIC but will be treating them the same as any other leak........They're still babies yet so nowhere near ready to go out.

[AllInContainers]

Mine are out Prob about 8" tall I reckon. Not so much a matter of thinking they're ready, but a matter of needing window space for chilli plants and other seedlings

What are you growing them in BM? Mine are in ..... well, kind of flower bucket size pots .... one per pot

[Bigmallly]

Because they are best picked before the first frost, I guess mine will have to go in the tunnel.......

[veggiechicken]

The Bulgarian Giant leek - no rude comments please


http://turkeysong.wordpress.com/2010...so-does-shape/

[AllInContainers]

Thems the fellers VC I doubt mine will get anywhere near that (the guy there gives them a much prolongued growing period) but figured me growing a "giant" leek might offset any stunted growth from growing conditions here ..... plus I can't be bothered with all that blanching faff

[veggiechicken]

I grew some last year - they're still growing - and nowhere near the size of the one in the photo.
They are Giants in comparison to the other leeks though!

[AllInContainers]

Surprised you managed to overwinter them, they're supposedly quite tender. You got a heated GH VC?

[veggiechicken]

I live in sunshiny South Wales AIC
They're more like Bulgarian midget leeks Not quite what I hoped for