[JohnB47]

Hi.

I have a few leek plants in paper pots. They seem to have been in there for months and even now are very small. The cause is probably a very cold start to life and now a need for some food.

So, the question is, what is all this stuff about planting them deep really about? Would it matter if I took my little leeklets and planted them out on the allotment as they are - perhaps planting them so that the tips just show? Or should I plant them out and then later dig them up when pencil sized and replant them deep? Does it really matter?

All the leeks I see nearing full size and being lifted seem to have their roots fairly near the surface anyway, so what is the point of planting them deep? (I think the intention is to produce leeks with a nice long white stem - but if they end up with their roots near the surface anyway, surely planting them deep can't be having the desired effect).

Cheers.

[Stevens706]

John you have answered your own question, planting them deep is to produce leeks with a nice long white stem. I have never seen the roots near the surface, when you dig up the leeks the roots are deep in the ground. Just dibber a 7" hole ond pop them in as they are (now is the time to do it) then water the hole and leave them to grow.

[8doubles]

As stated above dibber a deep hole drop the leek in and water one side of the hole just to wash enough soil in to cover the roots but not fill the hole completely.
If you water into the centre of the hole you may float the leek back out.

[JohnB47]

Thanks both. Yes, I guess I'll have to get them in the ground, regardless of size. They're not doing much in those pots anyway.

Stevens706 - 7" deep would see them totally buried! Still, if they're just lying in the hole maybe they'll grow above soil level before the hole becomes filled in. Perhaps I'll make that a 5 or 6" hole.  :happy:

Cheers.

[mixdiver]

I sowed mine in a try around 6 weeks ago and they are still thin and weedy hope to plant them out in next couple of weeks, they will not be pencil thick though more like rice noodle thick!


Mixdiver

[JohnB47]

I sowed mine in a try around 6 weeks ago and they are still thin and weedy hope to plant them out in next couple of weeks, they will not be pencil thick though more like rice noodle thick!


Mixdiver

It's some consolation to know that it's not just me!

Cheers.

[chick with chicks]

Me too, terrible looking things 
My very first year with my beautiful raised beds and they are the only seedlings to let me down
Will put them out anyway now. Was looking at them this afternoon and was going to chuck them  Must be fate that I held back and then read this!!

[noshed]

Mine always look rubbish and then when you plant them on they are fine.

[8doubles]

Be positive and convince yourself that  you aim to grow the baby leeks that are so expensive in the shops.

[gowing238]

I have heard so much about pencil thick leeks ready for planting out but have never seen what people mean! Anyone gotta picture to show what we are waiting for!?

[solway cropper]

Pencil thick means ready for eating 

I planted out 40 yesterday and most were drinking straw thickness. Come December they'll be as thick as my arm....hopefully.

[zazen999]

They're winter veg - they're not supposed to grow fast.

Pop them in the corner of a bed somewhere, water in and leave them be until the summer crops are harvested. Then put them into their final positions.

You'll be amazed the difference when you come to move them.

[SUTTY1]

i've never seen anyone get them pencil thick b4 they dibb them in, but for sure they will grow well and good too eat

[JohnB47]

Thanks. Great to have this feedback.

I'm happy that some others are in a similar position to myself (not that I want everyone to be as badly off as me). After I plant mine out  I may decide to replant deeper, as per your advice zazen999. Seems like this year is a bit odd all round.  I'm only a beginner - is it this variable every year?? Perhaps something get to get used to.

Good luck all.

[Kristen]

Stevens706 - 7" deep would see them totally buried! Still, if they're just lying in the hole maybe they'll grow above soil level before the hole becomes filled in.

I'm probably repeating what you already know, but the idea is to "dibber" a hole, drop them in, fill hole with water - which will wash in about an inch of soil to cover the root.  The rest of the hole is still "open" so the leek can grow, emerge fro the hole, and both grow and fatten up - and over time waterings will fill the hole some more.

Edit: Pictures from teh Begining and End of May. I'm not advocating this, they are pretty crowded, but that's about how I normally do it and we get half-decent leeks.