Transplanting Leeks

Hi all,

Way back in February I sowed some leeks seeds.  There doing ok, just wondering if people reckon if they are big enough to sow out yet.

I've read they should be pencil thick before planting out, at the current growth rate it'll Autumn before they get that big...

Thanks.

I'd leave them to grow on a bit before transplanting, giving them a few liquid feeds usually helps to bulk them up

I have sometimes put clumps of leeks from a seed tray into the ground to bulk up a bit for a couple of months
before putting them into their final places. Works quite well and they get a good root system going as well.

Liquid feed is a way forward too. They respond to a good drench of anything like comfrey, nettle water etc, and also of course, the normal feeds you buy in a packet. Do it at least once a week, and don't worry about the size when planting out, just grow a few more if you have the space! I always popped them in at biro-refill stage, and let them grow into their holes as they wanted to!

I also think that as a squirt of feed collects in the top, the foliar connection holds it all there for the plant to absorb the stuff before it leaks out (pun not intended)!

Works for me!

Mine aren't pencil thick when I plant out. Unless you are prepared to sow each seed individually an inch apart at the start of the year they isn't going to be enough room in the seed tray for them to get that big. I just plant out later this month whatever size they have got too, it works for me, slugs are an issue whatever you plant in the soil, applying nematodes before planting out will help.

Agree with those recommending giving them a liquid feed to help bulk them up - can't really explain it but leek seedlings seem to run out of food more quickly than others even when they have yet to put on much growth.