When to buy leek plants

[Jimmy]

Last year I had all sorts of trouble with germination in the greenhouse.
So this year I decided to use the seed bed method.
But still germination is very patchy.

• Leeks no show.
• Kale a couple.
• Broccolii no show.
• Sprouts one.

I can re sow broccoli sprouts and kale but suspect it's too late for leeks.

When do they appear in the garden centers ?
Thanks
Jimmy

[Bren In Pots]

Leek seedlings have been for sale in my local greengrocers for the past couple of weeks, have you looking at markets or car boots.

[bario1]

Leeks are usually planted out in June, so I'd expect garden centres to have them already?

[Jimmy]

I shall have to have a little trip out.
Thanks
Jimmy

[vixylix]

I didnt see any leeks in bandq yesterday - although their plants were in disarray so there could have been some hiding. A proper garden centre may fare you better

[Jungle Jane]

Ive been waiting weeks for more leek germination but my total seedlings for this year are two,I wonder about sowing more,I'll just make a seed bed now next to my peas & sow them,the pack says March/April sow outdoors so near enough for me

[burnie]

Leeks have been quite good for me this year, I used Dobies seeds and had good germination in a heated propagator. I have had mine out in the raised beds for a couple of weeks now and the onions I grew from seed.

[Jimmy]

Re Leeks no show.
I tell a lie, there is one.
Jimmy

[Kirk]

Leeks - sowed 2 varieties outside about 4 weeks ago (mad) Reasonable number of one variety, only half a dozen of another. The third have none but they were old seed 2-3 years old so no worries. Oddly the best are a year old seed, the new seed is the half dozen.
Kale - none sown
Broccolii (summer variety), Only sowed a few but 2/3 have shown and are now a couple of inches tall. May have had more but the squirrel managed to dig a hole and bury a nut at the end of the row so lost a few.
Sprouts - none sown.

Local market had leeks in 2 or 3 weeks ago, sure broccoli was there last weekend along with kale and sprouts, but did not take a great deal of notice, parked car in a different place so did not walk past/through them - bought a single cucumber (still indoors).

[Issy]

Leeks

Hate to say this but all mine came up - they look like grass. Still in the greenhouse but yesterday planted out four rows of sprouts and gave a tray to our neighbour !

[Baldy]

Have to buy a few leek plants this year - my Bulgarian Giants are giving me miserable germination rates - think I've got 3 from a very generous couple of sowings (probably a 6% success rate) - seeds are a year or two old but not seen them this bad before... probably something I've done

[Jay-ell]

I've a couple of trays of little grass like leeks - Bulgarian Giant and Winter Giant with no idea where the heck they're going to go when they're ready. I still have 300 pencil thick Elfants to relocate.

[Penellype]

I think the late frosts may have put paid to some outdoor sowings. Although leeks and brassicas are hardy once growing they don't really appreciate being frozen when really small.

I'd try starting some off indoors to give them a good start. I use rootrainers as leeks have deep roots.

[Snadger]

I've a couple of trays of little grass like leeks - Bulgarian Giant and Winter Giant with no idea where the heck they're going to go when they're ready. I still have 300 pencil thick Elfants to relocate.

Ah- hem! (nasty cough i've got there..................

I have quite a few Musselburgh leeks in modules and some sown in clumps in modules, but you can't have enough leeks in my view!

[Chestnut]

I've been wondering about the instruction to plant them out in June when they're pencil thick…
Mine seem to be staying in the 'blade of grass' phase for ever - they will need to get a move on even to equal the inside of a biro by June….