Why Grow Leeks?
A hardy plant that enjoys cold and unpredictable weather conditions. Sutton’s have a wide range of leek seeds. From the Spring Onion like ‘Atal’ to the beautiful foliage of ‘Northern lights’. Not forgetting the extremely winter hardy Musselburgh leeks. Leeks are a great edible plant for producing food once the summer crops have become spent.
How To Grow Leeks Plants From Seed
Leek seeds can be sown a couple of ways. Sown indoors in a seedbed or if space is limited sow them in pots.
When Do I Sow Leek Seeds?
- Leek seeds can be grown for at least 7 months over the year, October to April. For exhibition, sow your Leek seeds under glass between January and February and for general purpose sow outdoors between March and April. Use a good a decent peat free seed compost
- Once the leek plants are big enough to handle they need to be transplanted into holes that are 15cm deep and 23cm apart.
- Grow the young Leeks on, making sure they get even watering and once they have become small plants they can be transplanted to their final position in late April May
- Trim roots and leaves prior to planting to stimulate new growth
- Put down a garden line on your plot to mark out the space you are going to grow the Leeks in. Use a large dibber to make a hole 15cm deep
- Drop the Leek in and gently water, encouraging the soil to form around the stem and roots without soil getting into leaf folds. This loose planting hole will encourage the stems to thicken and the juicy Leeks to form.
- Leek swill enjoy a Nitrogen feed, so a moderate sprinkle of organic fertiliser such as chicken pellets will benefit.
- To make sure Leeks form and grow, water during dry periods
Leeks enjoy free-draining soil in a sunny position. In late summer earth up with surrounding soil to encourage the delicious white stems. Protect with extra fine Netting where potential pests like Leaf minor are a problem.
For more information on on cultivating these fantastic veg, read our 'How to grow leeks' guide, and get even more detail from from the experts in our article.
