leeks

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AnnFran East Greenbush, NY Feb 07, 2012

Did anyone grow leeks in Zone 5 and what tips can you offer. Should I begin them indoors?

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mom2goldens Carmel, IN(Zone 5b) Feb 07, 2012

Hi, AnnFran:

I've grown leeks for several years, and I've always started mine indoors--they have a pretty long time til maturity. I start mine 8-10 weeks ahead of planting outdoors. If the tops begin to get too long and lanky, trim them back to about 4". You might have to do this several times while they are still indoors.

I just sow my seeds fairly thickly in a 3" or 4" pot--no need to do individual cell packs. At plant out time, just gently tease the roots apart prior to planting. Be sure to use a loose soil or potting mix and keep a steady water supply. I usually grow mine in large containers. They should also be "blanched" while growing (mound the soil up as they grow to develop the long white edible parts of the plant). Some varieties will overwinter and can be harvested the following spring.

Hope this helps--let me know if you have other questions.

Linda

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SusanKC Shawnee Mission, KS(Zone 6a) Feb 08, 2012

We've also grown them from seed. You can do both a summer and fall harvest. This year we're ordering starts from a supplier in order to cut back on the number of seeds starts we have.

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nancynursez637 Madras, OR Feb 08, 2012

Ann,I am in mountainous zone 5, and i do start my leeks and walla wallas indoors. I plant them in containers fairly thickly, then transplant when the risk of frost is past,

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Weedwhacker Bark River, MI Feb 11, 2012

I grow mine the same as mom2goldens; they actually grow quite easily, dig a narrow trench for your transplants and drop them in, fill in partially and let the rest fill in with rain and watering. I also planted some in an unheated hoop house a couple of years ago, which lived through the winter and then produced seed stalks as well as dividing off smaller plants - which are presently still in the HH and I'm interested to see what they do this year.

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behillman Plantersville, TX(Zone 9a) Feb 15, 2012

Nancynurse, do you grow your leek seeds & onion under a light, or just under a window. South window?

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