[Pony Girl]

I sowed some leeks in pots at the weekend. They are currently in an unheated utility room (lots of light), which is about 10 degrees during the day at the moment. I've put some of them in a propagator (unheated) and covered the others in bubblewrap for extra protection as it gets quite cold overnight.

Is this OK or should I not bother with the extra protection?

[richyrich7]

Their pretty hardy and the extra protection is not really needed. I grow mine in an unheated greenhouse in a cat litter tray ala DD. cheers mate  .
I've just finished harvesting last years lot 300+ leeks. So as you see hardy old things 

[simonwatson]

My leeks have been in a large pot in an unheated greenhouse for the last 4 weeks. They're just starting to come up now. Leeks are very hardy.

[DD.]

There are several tales on here of compost being frozen solid, but the leek seeds still eventually germinating.

Of course they take a little longer!

[simonwatson]

You're right DD. The pot my leeks are in froze solid last week. It's not bothered them too much as they're coming up now.

[Paul Plots]

They are wonderful things leeks. You just have to be a little bit patient with them...... and that's the hard bit in my case.  :blink:

My 4 rows of 100 are almost gone and now I am watching peering at the seed tray waiting for the replacements to appear. Cold greenhouse for mine too... I just wish they'd put in an appearance soon.

But... the large pot full in the heated conservatory are on their way.... signs of green shoots :happy: so the others shouldn't be too far behind even if I'm late with them this year.

Patience is a virture.... 

[JayG]

I germinate mine in the kitchen (because I can, and it does speed things up) but I've now got the problem that it's so much colder than expected, even in the greenhouse, and they need to go somewhere cooler now! 

[mumofstig]

Well, as mine always go in after the early spuds - and they're going to be later this year because of the weather............................
I'm not at all worried that my leeks are still in their seed packets 

[Paul Plots]

Well, as mine always go in after the early spuds - and they're going to be later this year because of the weather............................
I'm not at all worried that my leeks are still in their seed packets 

I'm delighted to hear that...... more grey hairs saved   ........ I was beginning to get the fidgets that mine were late up (the leeks...not the grey hair). Thank you.  :happy:

[Herb]

I'm not at all worried that my leeks are still in their seed packets 

Mine too - and I've just realised that I've ran out of the 'trial' variety from DT Browns I used very successfully last year has gone missing, so need to order some more!

[devonbarmygardener]

Mine are in an unheated greenhouse and are sprouting nicely - 2 inches high now :happy:

[Dai]

I just sown mine not half hour ago, three different types each in big 9" pots in seed compost (not sure that was the right compost tho) ive sown Giant Bulgarian, Long De Mezieres and Mussleboroughs.

Aint got no room in the house so they will go in my shoddy aldi coldframe outside to germinate. (fingers crossed)

[JayG]

The reason I like to get mine started early is that I'm still a little traumatised by my early efforts to get them to grow big enough to plant out in time, although we did have a bit of fun describing our various experiences in this thread: 

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=57715.msg678272#msg678272

[Growster...]

Still got about thirty, heeled in so we can grab them if the ground freezes again.

The best thing about leeks, is that they are a great substitute for onions or shallots, and a couple of years ago, during the dry summer (what!) when the onions dried up, they were a godsend!

We've got over a tray and a half already sown - they usually take a bit of time to get going anyway!

[shed head]

is it ok to leave leeks in a coldframe before they have germinated?