[Goosegirl]

I have aquired some clay land tiles from a local farmer (deepjoy)! I planted my leeks out today, so my question is - when do I position them ove ther leeks. Is it when they have put on some growth after planting, or do I leave it until autumn to blanch them?

[BenefitofHindsight]

Land tiles! You growing to show?

If you're blanching like this you shouldn't cover more than 2/3 of the growth or you will weaken the plant.  Wait until the leeks are aroung 8" long and cover with a cardboard tube.  As they get bigger, you can replace this with your landtiles later in the year.

Personally, I've fallen back on the easier option of planting in relatively deep holes intially, but planting clumps of 5/6 leeks together.  The growth isn't quite as strong but they tend to be more or less self blanching

[Goosegirl]

Ah - I never considered that it would weaken the plants. They were planted individually in 6" holes and just watered in, but my OH likes the white stem part which I have never managed to produce long enough for him (he is the cook)! I will wait until they are going great guns then put the land tile over. Thanks for that BenefitofHindsight!