[rowlandwells]

Hi all has anyone out there been growing there leeks on ridged up ground
that is to say first ridge up the ground like you would be ridging up your  potatoes then set you leek plants into the ridge as you would normally do on flat ground when overwintering would the ground drain better and also give the leek plant more advantage to grow deeper and longer shafts i have been lifting some leeks but they are certainly not what i expected them to be small thin shafts but tasty i have set a different variety this year one called Toledo [pelleted seed] and Atlanta basic seed i welcome your replies on this subject

[mickeyboy]

i earthed up my leeks last year and they came out very well.They came out fat and long stemed, were as before they were rather tall and thin, i shall be doing the same this year.

However i am sure someone with far more experience will be able to advise you more..

Mickeyboy

[BostonInbred]

I used toilet roll holders round mine, it basically works. This year, now ive got a ridger tool im going to plant them in the trench and earth them up.

What fertiliser works best for leeks?

[solway cropper]

I just bung mine in holes made with a dibber and let them get on with it. Leeks need a long growing season to develop into a good size so mine usually go in the ground in May/June with more after the first early tatties. Pic shows one lifted in October from a May planting. As for fertilizer I just use home made compost and add some BFB once they get established.

[Trillium]

That must be one good sized dibber you used to get such a long length of white 

[maxie]

Thats some leek youve got there,whereabouts in cumbria are you from solway cropper i am in wigton.

[digalotty]

now thats a leek 
my first year with leeks so i will follow your advise , thanks

[mickeyboy]

I just bung mine in holes made with a dibber and let them get on with it. Leeks need a long growing season to develop into a good size so mine usually go in the ground in May/June with more after the first early tatties. Pic shows one lifted in October from a May planting. As for fertilizer I just use home made compost and add some BFB once they get established.

Just out of intrest: to get a white like that how far down did u dib them?
cheers

[Babstreefern]

All I use is a tool which cuts holes at a depth of approximatey 4", I then dangle the leek in the hole, pour in some water, which actually anchors the leek and then leave them to get on with growing .  No problem.  I use the same tool for planting spuds, only, obviously, I fill in the whole with soil.

[BostonInbred]

Im going to cut a ridge with the ridger, then plant them at the bottom of the valley, and shove the earth back in when they have settled down. Ive tried the toilet roll method, works ok, you just need vast numbers of rolls.

[tam]

Wow! When do you sow to have them ready to play out in May? Mine stayed about pencil size.

[rowlandwells]

just to say thank you all for your advise its given me something to think about will let you know i get on

[solway cropper]

Maxie, I'm in Anthorn...not far from you.

Tam, these were sown end of Feb in an unheated greenhouse. I'm a few weeks behind this year due to the hard winter.

mickeyboy, the holes are usually about 6 inches deep but I have to admit that the leek in the photo was bigger than all the others. Perhaps I should have left it in the ground and collected seed from it but the soup was excellent

[maxie]

Must be good soil down there in anthorn,is it sandy soil like down at silloth?

[Elcie]

Wow that is an amazing leek!  I will be planting mine in the next week or two, thinking about trying DDs cat litter tray method this year.  Will also use toilet roll holders, I save them all year!