Plant leeks now?

A while back, I had a neighbor who always had leeks that she harvested throughout the winter (let's face it, winter isn't winter without some potato leek soup.)

I have some leek bulbs I picked up on end-of-season closeout. Can I plant them now? Will I need to use a row-cover?

Any help is much appreciated!

PLANT PLANT PLANT! I grow leeks all winter here, and you can too! I love 'em! Cain't get enuff of 'em!! (However, have never seen or planted leek bulbs....I usually set out plants.) (sure they're leeks?) (course now, Oriental leeks are really non-bulbing onions, wonder it that is what you have Vols.) And as for potato/leek soup...well, 'tis okay, however I know a way to cook leeks and they taste so dang good it'll turn your hair red! Oh man....nuthing better for ya!

Shoe, I can't quite envision me with red hair, so I'll take your word for it.

But you're right - they're not leeks. They're shallots. Same song, second verse: okay to plant SHALLOTS now? (giggle)

I have leek seeds, which I have been meaning to start indoors and transplant....guess I better get cracking, huh?

I've never heard of leek bulbs either, used the baby leek pencils though.

Shoe

Any plans to share that recipe and any way I can prevent it from turning my hair red? ;)

I don't like potato and leek soup much either but fried leeks on a fish pie .... ahhhhh!

Okay...but this recipe will ruin ya! Am posting it here (instead of Recipe forum) hoping it will encourage ya'll to grow leeks! (By the way, this is a side dish, not a main dish, like the soup might be.)
Cut your leeks in half lengthwise. I'd use at least 3 or 4 of them. Rinse them if necessary, and lay them cut side up in a baking pan. Sprinkle with fresh-ground black pepper, and dot with butter. (Use real butter.) Put a bit of water in the pan...not much tho, just enuff to offer a little steam and moisture. Cover with foil and bake at 350* for about 20 to 30 minutes, you want them cooked but not overly limp. While that is baking fix the rest of your meal. When time is up pull the foil off and sprinkle the leeks with fresh-grated parmesan cheese (don't dare use the stuff out of the green shaky can!) Put the pan under the BROILER, and let it broil till it not only melts the cheese but till the cheese gets to a color just past light brown but not black! (This stage really accents the flavor of the cheese, trust me here!) As this is going on dish out your meal and have it on plates...now pull the hot leeks/cheese out of the broiler and w/a spatula serve the halves onto the plates and pig out! Makes a nice presentation, those long leek halves with perfectly melted/brown cheese sitting there next to grilled salmon and boiled red taters (cooked of course in a basil/butter sauce). Guard your plate tho. If someone finishes their leeks before you do people have been known to filch a few extra!
By the way Baa...if you don't want your hair to turn red you must face South, tuck your right foot behind your right ear, insert your left pinky into your left armpit, and when the first passerby appears you must wave your left elbow up and down and holler loudly in a high-pitched voice "Mawk! Mawk!!! Mawk!!!" (Let me know how this works, okay?)

Hey Shoe

I tried out your yoga, it was hard cos I'm a frail, shy little thing and I managed to fall off my chair and bang my head. Sure, I didn't get one single red hair so it works! But as if by magic my face turned red! I looked about but luckily there was no one watching. This is an unfortunate thing to have a red face but it goes away much quicker than red hair :)

Nice recipe, I'm going to try that one out ... and your right more people should grow leeks especially those of us with Welsh heritage ;)

Baa

Vols

Are the shallots an overwintering type? (refraining from that'syalot jokes)

Leeks (here in the UK) should have been sown by late April, June at the very latest for mature leeks the following April, so it might be prudent to wait a while unless you guys do it differently over there. If your garden supplier has baby leeks for sale they will be a much better bet than seeds.

Hah! Baa...my "yoga"!? Hey, I've had five people lined up on the front porch doing the "anti-redhair" thing! Oh well.... By the way, regarding planting leeks...you may be right Baa. In your area that sounds like good info for planting seeds. They take a longggg time. Also, Vols, if you have shallot bulbs, you should feel perfectly safe planting them anytime from now to middle of Nov in your area. Once they are in the ground for a wk or so I'd mulch them a bit with straw or the like to help keep the ground from heavng them. You'll have nice healthy early shallots in late spring/early summer.

Hmmmmm 'The Way of Horseshoe' could be a seller! ever think about moving to California? ;)

Yep leeks do take a looong time to grow here on this rainsodden, windswept island I like the flowers on them too which is my excuse for letting them bolt.

Thanks, all. I'll plant the shallot bulbs now - the package says "plant spring or fall", and I'll start the leek seeds indoors this winter, and plant out early spring.

And I'll have to break over and BUY some leeks for this winter so I can try Horsehoe's recipe....sounds yummy!