[tangojulie]

Hello all

I don't have any cat litter trays but I do have a vast number of supermarket fruit cartons - the kind that come with 6 peaches or kiwis and the like. They're much deeper than a seed tray but I don't know how they compare with the depth of a cat litter tray.

Is there something special about the depth/area/opacity of cat litter trays that means the fruit cartons would be a poor substitute?

[mumofstig]

For me, the litter trays are just so easy to cope with, sowing the seeds in straight lines an inch or so apart

getting on for a hundred leeks in one conatainer 

For anybody who hasn't seen it DD's leek thread
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=26363.0

I also find old washing up bowls work quite well..........

[Paul Plots]

Cat-litter tray depth is good as there's plenty of room for the roots to develop so any sturdy container would do the job if there's sufficient depth of compost.

I agree with mumofstig - one cat litter sized tray is easier than several little ones. I use a very large seed tray - about the same dimensions as a cat litter tray. The cat refuses to let me have hers! 

[Yorkie]

The cat litter method means you plant the leeks individually and don't have to space them out at any point before planting in final position.

With the smaller punnets you scatter the seed more closely, which risks the plants struggling for space and nutrients.

And yes, I did the latter method last year - and then didn't feed them in the punnet / planted them out until far too late - with the result that they are just like grass this year.  That being said, I've had poor results from the cat litter tray method in previous years, so maybe leeks and I are just not intended to be soulmates!!

[Paul Plots]

The cat litter method means you plant the leeks individually and don't have to space them out at any point before planting in final position.

With the smaller punnets you scatter the seed more closely, which risks the plants struggling for space and nutrients.

And yes, I did the latter method last year - and then didn't feed them in the punnet / planted them out until far too late - with the result that they are just like grass this year.  That being said, I've had poor results from the cat litter tray method in previous years, so maybe leeks and I are just not intended to be soulmates!!

Don't give up on those leeks... they really are a wonderful crop to harvest through the winter. I was late getting mine into the ground last year. My neighbours were not at all happy... their's had been hit by leek moth but, by chance, planting out later meant the moth had done it's worst by the time mine leeks arrived on the plot.

Try a good sprinkling of chicken manure pellets at or soon after planting out time then water frequently and watch them flourish.

[tangojulie]

Thank you all. I also have a few old washing up bowls, so that's probably the way to go.

Looking forward to the best leeks ever.....

[Paul Plots]

Thank you all. I also have a few old washing up bowls, so that's probably the way to go.

Looking forward to the best leeks ever.....

Good luck!! 

[gypsy]

Do you make drainage holes in the trays?

[mumofstig]

Yes 

[savbo]

in an idle moment last year in took a piece of wood as long as the width of the litter tray and fixed bits of dowel (about 2cm long and 2cm apart)...use it to make the seed holes in the compost.Width of wood also sets the distance between rows. Works OK, though edges of holes fall in sometimes

sav