[Allotment Jon]

I started off at the end of a march on a window sill (Autumn Giant) and are now about 6 inch high but not pencil thick.

They all look very healthy so was wondering as I need the room if I could plant out now. Is it too early or should I harden off for a few days and then plant them out.

Do they need any form of protection ?. The only problems I know about is rust.

[Swing Swang]

>The only problems I know about is rust.

Unfortunately leek moth appears to be more common

[mumofstig]

Start to harden them off, and then they can go outside.......they don't have to be planted yet though

Mine are outside but are going in after the new potatoes come out.....so a while yet

[Aidy]

No to rush, I grow these myself and they grow pretty quick once in the ground, what I found is if you get them to early they tend to bolt and go to seed so mine will go in around mid may. Dibbing Leeks is my favourite part of the allotment year.

[noshed]

They will sit in pots outside quite happily for ages, so there's no rush

[Allotment Jon]

Thanks for the advice. Not done them before and now got about 40 as I am so looking forward to tasting home grown leeks for the first time.

Still got a packet of Musselburgh but may save till next year.

[Babstreefern]

I've just planted mine this weekend - Mammoth Leeks.  As Aidy says, its one of the best jobs.  I use a tool which makes 4" deep holes (a bit like making a golf hole), and then drop in the leek, and pour in some water and leave them to it   They went in at the same time as I planted my mammoth onions.

[Trillium]

I too have planted out my leeks last week. I've run out of room in the house and on my porch where I harden off things. They're very hardy and can take frost so I'm not worried. And I've never had first year seedlings bolt to seed.

[rikknikk]

I've just planted mine this weekend - Mammoth Leeks.  As Aidy says, its one of the best jobs.  I use a tool which makes 4" deep holes (a bit like making a golf hole), and then drop in the leek, and pour in some water and leave them to it   They went in at the same time as I planted my mammoth onions.

I have just found out this is the way to do them but I have already planted direct from seed into the ground, could I replant them like you suggest once they have become established or am I too late now?

[Trillium]

You can do this once they're about pencil thickness, but older than that and the roots have become too massive to disturb.

[Goosegirl]

I potted mine on once they had germinated with a "one and a half" leaf then, today, I've done it again into larger pots as they are at the "three leaf stage" - as recommended by Robinson's Mammoth Onion website. They're not pencil thick yet but, hopefully, thid will encourage them to bulk out. I will use Maxicrop feed on them later before they get ready for planting out.

[Digger Tom]

  I use a tool which makes 4" deep holes (a bit like making a golf hole),

 Sorry I am going to be a noob again.

 Golf Hole?

[mumofstig]

You know ...................the hole the ball goes down when you're playing golf