[Dave NE]

I sowed mussleburgh on the 2nd and some are through already, amazing, Dave

[Annen]

I sowed mine on 14th Feb.  Not a peep of green showing.  They have been in a cold greenhouse, but I am beginning to give up on them.

[Yana]

I sowed mine on 14th Feb.  Not a peep of green showing.  They have been in a cold greenhouse, but I am beginning to give up on them.

Ditto. Mine were sown in cat litter trays ages ago and so far a BIG FAT 0. 

[Kristen]

Just had a look in my Joy Larkcom, she says they need 10-15C for germination, and germination is poor below 7C. Not sure unheated greenhouse is enough?  Bring them into the warm just until the sprout?

[EllenJane]

Mine normally take weeks and weeks, even in the greenhouse, but this year I gave them a little bottom heat with the heated propagator (minus lid) and after a week they're up (about 95% success rate so far). And now they've gone in the porch which is acting like a greenhouse.

[Annen]

Yes! if had thought ahead...I sowed them in a litter tray thinking of plenty of root space, but it wont fit into the propagator or on the window sills...I will try bringing it into the house, it will fit on the desk pushed up to the window with a radiator underneath. That's probably as warm as I can get them...you have to be quite creative in this business, don't you?

[Dave NE]

Just a note for those who follow, I sowed the seeds in a tallish black pot covered with shredded vermiculite and covered with a clear plastic bag, placed on a sunny windowsill, I think the black pot catches a bit more heat from the limited sun shine at this time of year, cheers Dave

[beesrus]

I also used to have trouble fitting large/awkward trays in the heated propagator, so invested in a double sized one. Now I can even use it to kick start some over Wintering pepper plants in largish pots. Probably the most effective bit of equipment I have... it makes me feel all satisfied and cozy 
I use the 2 litre deep Ice cream cartons for the leeks. Once heated, they're always up within a week. Takes all the fret away.

[Annen]

Yes! if had thought ahead...I sowed them in a litter tray thinking of plenty of root space, but it wont fit into the propagator or on the window sills...I will try bringing it into the house, it will fit on the desk pushed up to the window with a radiator underneath. That's probably as warm as I can get them...you have to be quite creative in this business, don't you?

It worked! Hooray! lots of little green loops popping up 

[Yana]

Oh this is just too spooky......
The cat litter trays were moved into the kitchen and lo and behold there are tiny little shoots after just a few days indoors.

[Annen]

Oh this is just too spooky......
The cat litter trays were moved into the kitchen and lo and behold there are tiny little shoots after just a few days indoors.

Snap!

[3759allen]

do leeks need hardening off if germinated in side?

[sonnycbr]

do leeks need hardening off if germinated in side?

I find that leeks are very tough. As soon as mine have germinated they go straight out into the unheated greenhouse and they're fine. Before final planting they'll live outside for a couple of weeks.

[3759allen]

i will get on with mine next week then, i was behind last year and had to make do with small (but tasty) leaks.

[heygrow]

This will my first year growing leeks from seed (Cairngorm F1). I don't want to plant out in final bed until late June when first earlies are up. So am I OK sowing direct in seed bed / cold frame in April or is it better to so in trays in doors (don't have greenhouse) to start them off?