[JohnB47]

I want to try the DD method this year. I have some trays, not for cats though, that are 8cm deep (just over 3") and others that are 15cm (6") .

The 15cm ones seem too deep to me but is 8cm deep enough? I could always raise the sides up a bit by wrapping polythene around the inside I suppose.

I'm hoping to go straight from the tray to the ground and I don't want to use up too much compost, although I can recover most of that at transplanting time.

What's an ideal depth?

Cheers all.

[bigben]

You should be able to do the 3 inch one. I think mine has been around that in the past.

Do you have access to compost from your own compost bin. If so what about putting a couple of inches of that with some chicken pellets in with it into the deeper tray. Then add a couple of inches of bought compost on top to get the leeks started and suppress anything that still wants to grow in your own compost. This should give more depth and once the leeks get down to the lower layer they should have access to more nutrients.

 I found last year that mine never reached the "pencil" thickness they are meant to be when you plant them out. I wondered if this was lack of nutrients in the compost I was using. This year I have done what I suggested and am hopeing for better results.

[JohnB47]

Sounds like a good idea, thanks.

Last year I found my leeks (grown in deep paper pots) grew to about 3" and then seemed to stop. I fed them some general purpose soluble feed and they put on a growth spurt. This tip has been confirmed in another thread. So that's what I'm planning to do this again this year.

Thanks again.

[Trillium]

You can do them in a litter tray or an old planter. Here are more tips:

http://www.allotment-garden.org/allotment-tips/planting-leeks.php

[viettaclark]

Excellent video Trill! Thanks.

[bigben]

I have leek envy looking at the video! Some of my leeks only get that big by the time I need to harvest them not when I am planting them out.

[debih]

I'm off to search my dads shed today to find myself a planter.

What a fab idea.

[Trillium]

bigben, the trick is to start them early enough so they're a decent size by planting out time. jan/Feb would not be too early.

[nipper31]

bigben, the trick is to start them early enough so they're a decent size by planting out time. jan/Feb would not be too early.

Does that mean I'm too late? I haven't got round to sowing mine yet... 

[JohnB47]

Well I'm about to sow mine.

I'm going to grow Atlanta which is supposed to be good through to May, so I'm hoping I'm still on time. I still have a couple of these in the ground from last years try of just a few  plants and they're looking OK still.

[Trillium]

nipper, sow your leeks now. They take an age to reach a useful size.

[JohnB47]

Oh and I've just remembered that, of course, you could get leek seedlings at your local garden centre. More expensive than growing your own but they'll have a head start.

[Alec_Macpherson]

I've just done mine.  It's a late growing season oop here, so I should be in time.

[viettaclark]

Mine are up about 4" in a 3" deep tray but haven't done much recently. Is a small feed in order?
How else did the guy on the video get his so large?

[Trillium]

The guy in the video is John Harrison, the site owner. And quite likely he gave his leeks a light feeding to keep them healthy for so long.