[DD.]

Just a few more white lies then? 

Darned predictive text! On the plot at the mo and can't see the screen very well!

[sunshineband]

Just a few more white lies then? 

Like it 

[Goosegirl]

It may (and probably was) a daft question but my Autumn Mammoth leeks that I've grown for the last three years had their long roots trimmed off then, because the total size of the root bunch would have been too big to get into a normal dibber-sized hole, I used my trowel to make a 6" deep hole large enough to plant them in. I've found that this variety produces longer white shanks than others despite not being earthed up or whatever.

[Growster...]

Earthing up leeks is an absolute chore, and a good initial dibble is always a preference here!

You can borrow the Growsterdib any time you want, Goosey..;0)

If you look at the pic, you'll see that there are two boot positions, one higher than the other, but the result is just the same!

[Kleftiwallah]

I still trim back half the roots and one third of the leaves.  Anyone else still plant this way?

Cheers,  Tony.

[sunshineband]

I still trim back half the roots and one third of the leaves.  Anyone else still plant this way?

Cheers,  Tony.

I do, as it makes it easier to get the roots well down in the hole. I pinch off the top of the leaves after the plant is in the hole though, or sometimes the hole is too deep and the plant disappears down it out of sight 

[Kleftiwallah]

I think the lack of sunlight 'down the mine' has a detrimental effect on the transplanted leeks.  I've just made 4" holes this year.  Just hope the strong wind doesn't pull them out!  I might try toilet roll tubes round them to blanch them later.  Cheers,  Tony.

[sunshineband]

Mine are growing away strongly, in six inch holes. I only pinched off about two inches of the flag top

[LottyLouis]

That Dibber-gadget is absolute genius...you should go on Dragons' Den with it - patent pending, of course! And as for earthing up leeks - I never have. I use the white bits in whatever I'm cooking and the leaves in all their glorious abundance are used for MONUMENTAL soups.  You just gotta love this obsession of ours - fresh air, exercise, the invention of amazing garden tools PLUS we get to eat the finished product. Ain't life just grand???   

[Growster...]

You're very kind, Lottylouis, and will be remembered and included in the squillion pound prize..;0)

The main reasons why some people trim roots and tops is that the leek thinks it is losing it's ability to take nourishment if the roots are trimmed, and makes more roots, going off in all directions. The tops are attractive to birds, hence them pecking them out of the holes, so the idea is make their leaves smaller, so they have time to secure their root system, before the birds get 'em!

At least that's what we've all been told by the old boys and girls here for years!

Personally, I don't do either as it's too much faffing around...

;0)

[Salmo]

If the tops loop over and touch the ground worms delight in pulling them into their holes and the leeks out of theirs. Cut the tops so they stand straight up. Cut the roots so they go down the holes without folding up. New and better roots soon appear.

[Aunt Sally]

Great information there, Salmo

[Growster...]

There should be another class of comment here, i.e. 'Meaning of Life', as this leek discussion surfaces every year, and it'll be a bitter disappointment if it didn't...

In fact, so as not to jump on this string, I'll start a brand new one!

;0)

[dugless]

I adapted a useless lawn aerator, into a 'Growsterdib', by duct-taping a strong dibber to the bottom as shown.

This makes dibbling dead easy, as you can push the point down with a determined boot, and get an 8" planting hole as easy as getting - er - an 8" planting hole, and from a standing position to help the old back!

This year over two hundred went in, in a couple of hours or so!

Try doing hat when the ground is like concrete .