[Sharon]

Hi,
I have been sent some leeks today.  I didn't realise that they would be sent bare rooted.  What do I do with them now?
I don't think they are big enough to plant out, they are about half pencil width and about 12in long.
I have put them in a cut off plastic bottle for now but how long can I keep them in there for?
As you can tell I have never grown leeks. :?

[woodburner]

Don't really know, my first time growing leeks, too, but don't let the roots dry out while you are waiting for a useful answer.

[Motivator]

The sounds a good idea , But better in compost for a little while.
 Give them a couple of weeks then plant them out.

[DD.]

I'd say - if you've got them now - plant them out. No point in giving them two shock treatments!

Ideal planting weather at the moment.

[gobs]

I'd plant them out too. Sorry for agreeing, Sir.

[Sharon]

Thanks for the replies.
I won't be able to plant them out until Saturday unless it's a nice evening tomorrow. I am volunteering at a charity shop tomorrow.  Hopefully it will be dry tomorrow evening not like today, it's been hissing down since about 1.30

[gobs]

Hissing down is the best planting time.

[DD.]

I'd plant them out too. Sorry for agreeing, Sir.

It occasionally happens!

[iwantanallotment]

I received some like that last year.
If you trim the tops and the roots as you plant, they'll fatten up in no time  

[Trillium]

I'm all for planting them asap. No point making extra work later. The leeks will quickly catch up and put out lots of growth.  As you'e got lots of rain, you won't have to water, as I've been doing today, it's so dry here.

[Bombers]

Just come back from a luvvrly day out at Tatton park, and whilst there noticed that all their Leeks were nicely planted out in there 'holes' complete with a little straw blanket in the top of the hole? - what's that for?? :roll:

[Trillium]

Hope you had a nice  birthday srebmob. The straw would both keep the soil damp and shade the stalk for blanching (and keep down weeds).

[Bombers]

Hope you had a nice  birthday srebmob. The straw would both keep the soil damp and shade the stalk for blanching (and keep down weeds).

Thanks Trill.. Wonderfull Birthday, I also thought it would stop any soil washing itself down the 'hole' thus restricting girth growth?

[Trillium]

Its nothing to do with girth at all, mostly to help set roots deeper so that soil can slowly be filled into the hole to encourage stalk blanching for the white parts. This can also be done by hilling regularly. Mostly, some methods just die hard.

[Bombers]

One day i'll get the hang of this growing lark! :roll: