leeks

I've got our leeks growing in pots from potting them on but I'm a bit reluctant to plant them out on the allotment bed because its so dry down there I could water them in but then the ground underneath is really dry

Ours have been in a few weeks, and are already looking a bit sad, so you're both doing the right thing I reckon!

There's no chance of the soil being even half damp 6" below the surface, and a top-watering doesn't do much, but I think I'll still do that, with some liquid feed and at least let them survive until we get the rain in a few month's time...

How about just dibbing their holes and giving them all a good watering a couple of times before planting out so you know they're already nice and wet down below.

I watered a row of water where I planned to plant each row of leeks. This puddled it sufficiently to then be able to wallop a piece of wood into the ground with a mallet to create the holes for the leeks.  Then put the leeks in and watered in as usual.

That works well Yorkie!

If the ground is really solid - like now, a 2'0" piece of 1" copper tube with one end cut at a slant makes a good hole for leeks, and you can do it sitting down on a gardening kneeler - upside down of course!

Forgot to say that you need a decent mallet of course!

I planted my leeks out a few weeks back and was worried they would suffer when I was away last week. Pleased to say after giving them a good watering before leaving they don’t appear to show any signs of stress. Looks like I will have to keep watering this week though given forecast.

My leek seedlings have been in the ground since early to mid June in two raised bed areas.
Have always planted them end May to mid June.
Sow mine in 9 inch pots mid Feb in a cold greenhouse. My planting time is when they are 9-12 inches high and a thick pencil width.

Must ask, it does seem late now to be planting out leeks. Are these later varieties?
Mine are Musselburgh, start picking from late October to March/April.

What I do when planting out in hotter weather.
Take a washing up bowl full of water and pour over the area for sowing/planting.
That covers an area about 5ft square approx.
Leave for say half a day for the water to drain through.
Think for leeks that may work too, so you can get your dibber in easily and make a nice dryish hole (with letting the water spread through), add the leek and top up with water as normal.

Mind, not sure about hanging a piece of hose on your watering can spout if you live in a hosepipe ban area, haha!

I have planted Bleu de Solaise late before and they seem to do okay.
I put some in in mid June.
I have a second batch to go in. 
Both lots will do well.