How to get thick/fat leeks?

Last year was my first year as an allotment holder and I had success with pretty much everything I grew, with exception of cucumber, which appeared to commit suicide for no apparent reason.

I grew a lot of leeks and only around 50% of them got to a reasonable thickness, with the rest being not much bigger than spring onions.

Does anyone have any tips on how to grow thick leeks?

I have a feeling that I may not have prepared the ground properly, or fed them...but that's just a guess.

Any help is gratefully received.

Cheers,
Jim.

I give mine sulphate of potash about six weeks after they have been planted out (Chicken pellets at the time of planting, blood, fish & bone a week or so before hand)  and then once more in the Autumn and another dose around the beginning of March for those I have left.

Seems to work OK 

ASimilar position to me about a month ago. Added a bit of liquid feed and Mine are getting there, i dont plan to let them grow huge before harvesting. I'll add a bit more feed this weekend.
Cheers
Aled

If you want large leeks, you have to start by growing leeks that want to get big. I grew a variety called Snowdon last year. They are huge, and very healthy. I'll be growing the same this year as a slightly earlier crop than the bleu solaise, which I'll be sowing later. I also have some pendle improved which will be massive come September time for showing.
Sow early, in modules, transplant to either deep cat litter trays ( DD style) or deep pots. Giving them plenty of depth of compost at this stage means they keep growing strongly, and less likely to stress through drying out. This could cause them to bolt later on.
Plant them in rich, well worked ground, top dressed before planting with either an organic fertiliser, such as BFB or inorganic such as Growmore. I like to use a slightly higher nitrogen fertiliser, with 10:7.5:10 being my preference.
Another dressing halfway through the season with any of the above should be more than adequate to provide you with large leeks next year.

Totty

I struggled the first few years to get decent leeks. This year I had the space to prepare a separate bed rather than waiting for the potatoes to be harvested and planted them at the end of May. A bit early I think as they suffered a bit from Rust - but I have ended up with some good size leeks as a result.

There are a few rust-resistant varieties to look out for 

Thanks guys.

Jim