AJuff Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 What do i do with the tiny skinny leeks that look terribly fragile? They are currently in trays in the greenhouse. I've not done leeks before but I love leeks so i thought I'd have a go. Also very excited as the elderflowers are just beginning to grow . . . elderflower cordial yum yum . . . . . Also last year we had NO pears on the pear tree and this year it looks like we are in for a mammoth crop. Apple trees look fantastic too . . can't say much for the new little cherry tree as the hens found it!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 I read somewhere that you should plant leeks out when they're as thick as a pencil. Mine are more like bits of wool ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Mine are more like the pencil lead at the moment! I will wait a bit longer until we start to harvest the new potatoes and then they will be sunk in there. In the meantime I will thin them out into bigger pots when I eventually get round to it. When planting in the holes I snip off the roots to about 1.5/2 inches - a lot easier to shove in. Some people snip the tops too. Tried that, but not noticed any difference really. I think that is done to encourage a better root system. One way of sorting out the roots to the length that I do them, is to snip them off while they are in the seed tray - saves a lot of fiddling. I also do that by the compost bin so that any onion flies that may be tempted will be really confused. I have another tray that has lots of smaller leeks, but they will be sorted out later because they are very late varieties that should be ready in late winter/early spring. And hopefully the chickens will not be able to get at them this time round! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted May 10, 2009 Share Posted May 10, 2009 Also last year we had NO pears on the pear tree and this year it looks like we are in for a mammoth crop. We had 5 pears last year, but 25+ the year before! Looks good this year. The lack of frost when the blossom was out helps! As Olly says, when the leeks are as thick as a pencil, then make a deep hole, trim off half the roots with scissors and pop them in. Fill the hole with water - to settle the soil. Do not fill with soil. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 We had a bumper leek crop last year. We grew some in trays and some in a seed bed. The ones in the seed bed actually did better so we have put in 2 rows in one of our raised beds and when they are the thickness of a slim pencil, we will plant them out at the allotment. As Christian said, a 6" dibbed hole put in the leeks with trimmed roots and water well. they also benefit from some general fertiliser a couple of times during the late summer and autumn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerryegg Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 I left a couple of leeks to flower last year. Fantastic blooms covered in bees all summer and they are now growing again. I expect they will be too woody to eat but the bees need all the help they can get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted May 12, 2009 Share Posted May 12, 2009 Might see if i can persuade my OH to do that, he rips things out as soon as they are past their best. Amazing that I'm still here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted May 13, 2009 Share Posted May 13, 2009 Let them flower and then you can collect the seeds - especially if it is your favourite leek. Have done that before and replanted in the flower border. The seeds that I missed started growing where they fell! The rose was very happy with the company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
