Growing Leeks
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Below are general guidelines for growing leeks, including plant height to
enable you to plan exactly where to place them when growing amongst other
plants.
For detailed instructions on growing fruit plus in-depth articles on growing
your own edible produce visit our sister site
www.pots2plots.com
or why not visit our gardening blog
The
Urban Gardener.
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Plant Height
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Up to 60cm/2ft
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Time between sowing
and harvesting
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About
30 weeks
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Where to Sow
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Outdoors
in a seed bed |
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Sowing time
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Late
March - April - temperature +12C/54F.
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How to Sow
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12mm/1/2"
deep - very thinly - in rows 15cm/6" apart or in groups/
blocks |
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After Germination
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Thin
plants to 5cm/2". |
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Growing on -
in Pots
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Not
recommended |
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Growing on -
in open ground
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Once
the plants are 20cm/8" tall, transplant to final growing positions.
Water the bed well before lifting with a fork. Trim the root ends and
growing tips. Make holes with a dibber, 15cm/6" deep and
15cm/6" apart in rows or groups/blocks then drop the leek seedlings
into the holes (1 per hole). Fill each hole with water but not soil. |
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Aftercare
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Water
in dry weather but do not deliberately fill the holes with soil. Gradually
pull up surrounding earth around the base of each plant during the
growing season which will increase the length of white stem. Try not to
get soil between the leaves when doing so. Feed occasionally during
the growing season.
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Harvesting
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Begin
lifting when the leeks are small and tender to prolong the cropping
period. Leeks can be left in the ground over the winter months. |
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