Kitchen Garden Forum

I have lots of leeks taken from pips last year that have overwintered in my greenhouse and look ready for planting out now, but would it be a bit early, would they be better off going into pots for a while more?

Mandy

Hi Mandylew,
I'd pot them up for a while and plant out in about a months time.
JB.

Hello Mandylew.
Have to agree with JB on this one. If leeks suffer a cold spell in their early stages as they are getting established they are much more likely to bolt later on in the season. So I'd pot them on and keep them growing steadily for a while than plant them out when the chance of a cold snap is much less.

John

Hi John,
I think most of us have made the mistake in planting out leeks too early and it certainly doesn't pay.
I have planted out early and the second batch planted out a month later have overtaken the first sowing and produced a far better crop. As you say they somehow get their seasons mixed and a large percentage head up to flower.
JB.
PS Nowadays I do not do anything early. Age!

Forgot to say last time that I pot my leeks up into rootrainers (5" Sherwood type). With this extra depth they can be kept growing on to sturdy little plants that get away well when planted out directly (and deeply). I must say this method avoids all that stuff about trimming leaves and or roots and dropping plants into dibber holes and puddling them in!

John

so do i plant them deep into the rootrainers, like put an inch of compost in the bottom, drop them in the bottom and with compost? or if I plant them the depth they are at the moment I'll have to dig really deep holes to finally plant them out in? I just bought 2 sets deep rootrainers so could give that a go, less compost than pots.

Mandy