The guide to growing superb leeks
Created | Updated Jul 13, 2009
leeks come in a variety of different types. There are Early, Maincrop and late just like potatoes. You can get different types of seed, organic, bog standard seed and even tapered seed strips which you lay in the ground. I have so far been growing the bog standard type but will be interested next year to grow some organic seed to see what difference in taste there is.
I always prefer to grow mine in the greenhouse to get them started before planting them out in about June time. I either sow them in seed trays or module seed trays. Module seed trays are probably the better ones because there is no need to prick them out. I sow 2 or 3 seeds per module and when they are large enough, I leave the best one and pull the other 2 up. You can of course replant the ones you pull up in another seed tray if needed.
When they start to outgrow their space then I usually pot them up in small pots, this is the last time before planting them out.
I have grown them directly into the ground before now but found they do much better in the modules under glass first. They can easily get attacked by slugs and even mice if planted directly into the ground.
Also I have the problem of heavy soil on my allotment so they won't do very good when sown directly out.
When the leeks are pencil thickness then they are ready to be planted out. It is usually June time which is the best but this year has proved difficult because it has either been too wet or to dry.
I have also had major problems with slugs and snails eating the baby leeks I put into the ground and have had to resort to slug pellets when planting them for the third time in the same spot!!
Anyway, they need to be planted about 6 inch deep and so a dibber makes a lovely deep hole or if the roots are quite big then dig a small hole with your trowel and drop the leek in. I always put a little soil at the bottom of the hole to anchor them in otherwise the pigeons will have great fun pulling them out and flying away with your precious babies in their beaks!!
They need to be planted 12 inch apart and leave 3-6 inch between rows. I generally leave a little more than this and so I can walk around them.
Water the leeks in well watering down the hole. You need to keep them watered in very dry weather, like this year, and some people like to put a dressing of lawn clippings around them which gives them nitrogen but also helps to conserve moisture.
The main thing leeks like is well-drained soil. My soil at the allotment is heavy clay but I always mix plenty of compost and fertiliser in before planting which breaks the soil down improving the texture.
When the leeks are actively growing then earthing up will benefit them a great deal and you will get much thicker, bigger leaks and the white tip will be bigger resulting in better flavour. When earthing them up don't go beyond the centre of the leek as if soil goes down the centre then it will result in a grittish taste.
When large enough you can pull them getting a fork right down in order to avoid breaking them or spearing them with the fork.
The advantage with leeks is that they can stop in the ground all winter and we have been picking them christmas day sometimes!!
I have in the past suffered with a little rust on the leeks. This appears as a brownish spot. It doesn't do the leek any harm as long as it is not too bad. It only really affects the leaves not the main stem so stripping the leaves before eating and burning them stops it from spreading. Any healthy leaves/roots I put on the compost heap.
This year I am growing Musselborough which is a later leek and also artic star which is an earlier one with good flavour and decent sized.
The specialist grower's grow their's in drain-pipes and they use different specially prepared composts with the right nutrients in which makes a healthy long leek.
We usually have them with out sunday lunch and we do ours in the microwave but there is all ways in which they can be enjoyed.
If you have any further questions or problems then don't hesitate to contact me. All the best and happy growing!!
youngsuper_Nigel
I always prefer to grow mine in the greenhouse to get them started before planting them out in about June time. I either sow them in seed trays or module seed trays. Module seed trays are probably the better ones because there is no need to prick them out. I sow 2 or 3 seeds per module and when they are large enough, I leave the best one and pull the other 2 up. You can of course replant the ones you pull up in another seed tray if needed.
When they start to outgrow their space then I usually pot them up in small pots, this is the last time before planting them out.
I have grown them directly into the ground before now but found they do much better in the modules under glass first. They can easily get attacked by slugs and even mice if planted directly into the ground.
Also I have the problem of heavy soil on my allotment so they won't do very good when sown directly out.
When the leeks are pencil thickness then they are ready to be planted out. It is usually June time which is the best but this year has proved difficult because it has either been too wet or to dry.
I have also had major problems with slugs and snails eating the baby leeks I put into the ground and have had to resort to slug pellets when planting them for the third time in the same spot!!
Anyway, they need to be planted about 6 inch deep and so a dibber makes a lovely deep hole or if the roots are quite big then dig a small hole with your trowel and drop the leek in. I always put a little soil at the bottom of the hole to anchor them in otherwise the pigeons will have great fun pulling them out and flying away with your precious babies in their beaks!!
They need to be planted 12 inch apart and leave 3-6 inch between rows. I generally leave a little more than this and so I can walk around them.
Water the leeks in well watering down the hole. You need to keep them watered in very dry weather, like this year, and some people like to put a dressing of lawn clippings around them which gives them nitrogen but also helps to conserve moisture.
The main thing leeks like is well-drained soil. My soil at the allotment is heavy clay but I always mix plenty of compost and fertiliser in before planting which breaks the soil down improving the texture.
When the leeks are actively growing then earthing up will benefit them a great deal and you will get much thicker, bigger leaks and the white tip will be bigger resulting in better flavour. When earthing them up don't go beyond the centre of the leek as if soil goes down the centre then it will result in a grittish taste.
When large enough you can pull them getting a fork right down in order to avoid breaking them or spearing them with the fork.
The advantage with leeks is that they can stop in the ground all winter and we have been picking them christmas day sometimes!!
I have in the past suffered with a little rust on the leeks. This appears as a brownish spot. It doesn't do the leek any harm as long as it is not too bad. It only really affects the leaves not the main stem so stripping the leaves before eating and burning them stops it from spreading. Any healthy leaves/roots I put on the compost heap.
This year I am growing Musselborough which is a later leek and also artic star which is an earlier one with good flavour and decent sized.
The specialist grower's grow their's in drain-pipes and they use different specially prepared composts with the right nutrients in which makes a healthy long leek.
We usually have them with out sunday lunch and we do ours in the microwave but there is all ways in which they can be enjoyed.
If you have any further questions or problems then don't hesitate to contact me. All the best and happy growing!!
youngsuper_Nigel
