[Beetroot queen]

First time ever I have managed to get leeks bigger than a pencil and now some are almost shop leek sized already, I am very very happy with the bottom plot leeks.

when can you start to harvest them, not that I want them yet but I am worried as we have a veg pincher on our bottom plot who is using my plot like a supermarket

[mumofstig]

Eat them as soon as they are big enough to eat

It's a shame if you can't leave them to eat in the winter though
Some people just make you soooo 

[Beetroot queen]

Eat them as soon as they are big enough to eat

It's a shame if you can't leave them to eat in the winter though
Some people just make you soooo 

I have some beds on the top plot which (touch wood) havent been badly harvested, so I will use the bottom first and top later. I hate the fact I look forward to harvesting something only to find some beggar has already had his dinner 

[Snoop]

Mine are looking good too. Dead pleased.

What some people round here do is stick up a sign saying something along the lines of Warning. Treated with pesticide." Puts potential thieves off stealing. Not sure if you'd get someone so vindictive that they'd vandalise the lot, mind.

[Lottie Mary]

Well done with your leeks!  Mine are not doing so well - but it was my first year trying!

I can't believe that some people would be so petty as to steal homegrown veg!    Reminds me of that episode of the Good Life where that chap is stealing leeks - perhaps you should get a 'guard goat' like Geraldine to attach any potential theives!!

[Babstreefern]

My leeks are also fantastic   Can't wait to make my leek and potatoe soup.  For harvesting purposes (if they last that long in the ground ), you can take out as and when you need them.

My plot also backs on to a row of houses (mostly terrace with gaps along every so often).  I don't know if they would pinch anything, because:-

1.   There is a 6' wire mesh around the site; and

2.   If they cut the wire or manage to climb over, they have 5' high nettles and brambles
        to deal with

[Livinhope]

It all comes good in the end .  Remember earlier in the year when none of us could get anything decent enough to call itself a leek, to grow.  When planted mine were embarassing to say the least, they are now healthy, sturdy little teenagers that I look forward to adding to many dishes.  Perhaps we all panicked too soon. 

[Mosslane]

My first year with leeks and I have to say I'm pleased. I only sowed three little batches over the space of a couple of months but I have about 20 leeks and the earliest are nearly ready to pick.

[tosca100]

I resisted picking my lovely little leeks and bought some from T supermarket today. Organic half price, 88p.

I feel a leek and smoked haddock risotto coming on..................

[Beetroot queen]

My leeks are also fantastic   Can't wait to make my leek and potatoe soup.  For harvesting purposes (if they last that long in the ground ), you can take out as and when you need them.

My plot also backs on to a row of houses (mostly terrace with gaps along every so often).  I don't know if they would pinch anything, because:-

1.   There is a 6' wire mesh around the site; and

2.   If they cut the wire or manage to climb over, they have 5' high nettles and brambles
        to deal with

we have all that and they still get in 

[jackief]

Leeks have also been 1 of my success stories this year  mine were all sown at the same time but dotted about the plot. The ones inbetween the tomatoes are almost shop size, the ones inbetween the beans are pencil size and the ones in their own little patch about the size of marker pens, hopefully this means I won't have a glut moe of a succession.

[digalotty]

as a first time leek grower i am very pleased with my crop ,  fatter than broomsticks 
so i am looking forward to some beauties this winter

[JayG]

We had plenty of jokes about pencil-sized or even biro refill-sized leeks earlier this year, but as a first-time leek grower I'm happy to say mine are now more girth than mirth! 

Still waiting to find out whether the "one to a hole" or "3 or more to a hole" technique works better; at the moment they all seem to be about the same size.