[mandycharlie]

I've seeded a couple of rows of leeks a couple/few weeks ago.

I think they are growing, but... big but, it looks like grass is growing also

so.. its extremely difficult to spot the difference...

first question)  Do I really need to transplant them, as I sowed them in the position I would like them

and

second question) how do recognise them to be different to grass when I try to weed them...

I can't tell the difference at the moment...

what shall I do

[WG.]

Leeks are the ones with a little kink half-way up the stem.

You can leave them in place if you want baby leeks.  This is predominately what I grow for my hotel customers.  I broadcast sow them and only thin / transplant from areas where they come up too thick.  I am aiming for about an inch between plants to give a finished leek the thickness of my thumb.

[mandycharlie]

So WG,

If I were to leave them and not transplant them (bearing in mind I should be able to recognise the weeds).. could I then, have baby leeks, (yum, yum) and.. would then the other leeks (the ones i have left)  be able to grow to daddy size without being transplanted and having a hole dug in for them etc etc. transplanted.. (from what i understand)

[WG.]

Basically, yes.  You are really just eating the thinnings once they get to be big enough.   Two things to watch out for ... root disturbance when you pull out the little 'uns

... and you will get a higher proportion of green bits (transplanting into an hole, helps to blanch more of the stem to be white).

[mandycharlie]

thank you darling WG

Kissy Kissy...

I've got it know, for what I want to do, cheers mate..

[shaun]

I think its better to sow in trays in the glass house and transplant when bigger,its like when you read seed packets eg cabbage and they say sow direct in march,who actually sows cabbage direct and has success ?