forkhandles

Handle is correct size. Last year my leeks grew to 3mm thickness and I only used a normal dibber for the holes.. some of them grew to 2" diameter!!

If you use soil to earth up it will get into the leaves so rather use pvc piping to blanch them.. I dont bother and eat them how nature intended.

Darn it, you got there quicker!!!

And there was me thinking you meant this?

Experts will let you know the right way but I use something about the size of a big forkhandle (or was four candles) and push it in as far as will go on my plot which I guess is about 6 inches.  As long as the top of the leek is above the ground then I don't bother too much.  My leeks rarely get to pencil size before I transplant them but they seem to grow OK.  I don't earth up but use "loo rolls" round them to help blanching but the centres seem to be getting smaller lately, I have some drainage pipe that I got off freecycle that I will use this year.  By the way I have sown some leek seed in a propogator this week to see if I can get them growing bigger and stronger than previously, you get so many seeds in a packet in doesn't matter if it doesn't work.

Yes the centres of toilet rolls are getting smaller for many brands. If you still want the larger ones try the own brands at Aldi, they do their intended job just as well as the expensive brands but the centres are the original ideal width!

I use the handle of my rake, as it saves bending, dig the bed, rake the bed, then poke holes with the rake handle - no bending.
Grendel