[Donnay]

I'm looking at growing leeks and I have been told you don't back fill leeks when they have been planted. Is this correct?

Also I have noticed other plot holders have put tubes around there's. Can anyone tell me why they have done that and does the hole need to be a certain size when planting?

Yes I'm a newbie!

[gazza975526570]

Best way for me is use a dibber or similar to create a hole, drop the leep transplant in and then water the hole

pencil thickness - the thickness only in dreams is what to aim for when transplanting!!!

[Donnay]

So why do people put tubes around them?

[DD.]

The tubes - which can range from loo rolls to drain pipes - are to get a longer length of blanched stem.

[Donnay]

Sorry I don't understand what that means or how the tube helps???

[DD.]

Blanched - whitened.

The tubes prevent light getting to the stem and so turning it green.

[gazza975526570]

they prevent light getting to the stem to keep them white.

Personally i dont both and make deep holes before planting them - still eating mine from last year yet

[Donnay]

Oh right I get it now, many thanks.x

[Babstreefern]

I use a hole cutter (like making golf holes), then I get my leek, place it in the hole, and pour some water in.  This holds it in place.  Don't put in the soil and leave it to grow.  Like Gazza, I'm still picking mine out and eating them - lovely

[Taistealaiche]

Ok, so don't backfill? I've planted some seedlings in terracotta  drainpipes and backfilled them yesterday to just under the tips (read it in a book somewhere. Did I do wrong?

[NN2Blue]

Best way for me is use a dibber or similar to create a hole, drop the leep transplant in and then water the hole

pencil thickness - the thickness only in dreams is what to aim for when transplanting!!!

  - Do you trim the roots and leaves when transplanting?

[gazza975526570]

Best way for me is use a dibber or similar to create a hole, drop the leep transplant in and then water the hole

pencil thickness - the thickness only in dreams is what to aim for when transplanting!!!

  - Do you trim the roots and leaves when transplanting?

No i dont - should i?

[NN2Blue]

Best way for me is use a dibber or similar to create a hole, drop the leep transplant in and then water the hole

pencil thickness - the thickness only in dreams is what to aim for when transplanting!!!

  - Do you trim the roots and leaves when transplanting?

No i dont - should i?

Well, having seen it recommended on a BBC "Gardeners World" video and also by my Italian neighbour on the plot, I do - The theory is that it reduces water stress at the time of transplanting and given the recent arid summers here in Northampton I'm all for that.

[gazza975526570]

Yeah - i had actualy read up on this previously and from memory there is some who think it a good idea and others that dont.

Personally whilst i dont plant them at pencil thickness they always fatten up and turn out ok so im going to leave them as normal. I may do a short row with trimming them to see if there is any difference in the two with the same growing conditions.

[Plottered]

I do what John advises in this video and had brilliant results.

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