Growing Leeks, have questions

Fri Jun 04, 2010 4:04 pm

I JUST seeded my leeks this past weekend, which I later found out was to late. But I also read that they are a good cold weather crop, so if I plant them once the pop up, won't they end up being big by the fall?

Also, they seem to be taking a while to pop up, I don't have any peeking through yet. I started germing them on Sunday. Am I being to antsy or are they just slow growers?

Thanks guys! I know I have alot of questions, but I just can't resist trying new things!

Sat Jun 05, 2010 11:32 am

Wow... you are antsy. Leeks take 2-3 wks from planting to germinate. Then it is at least another 4 months to harvest, maybe more...

Here's a little article about them:

http://www.harvestwizard.com/2009/02/ho ... _leek.html

Sat Jun 05, 2010 12:32 pm

I'm not certain on this, but won't the high heat force then to go to seed?

Sat Jun 05, 2010 2:26 pm

Thanks guys. I'll check that article out. I was kind of thinking all of the heat would have done something to them by now too. lol, I will try not to be so impatient! : )

The only thing I have ever started from seed myself are beans and sunflowers which seem to grow FAST. Otherwise I get all of my plants and germing done at my girlfriend's greenhouses. She's the one that started my Okra, Peter Peppers, and Yolo's extra early because of the southern origin and Michigan's short growing season, and the unavailabilty of these plants from seedlings around here. Otherwise, I get everything as little plants from her. Anyways.. I'm not very experienced with seed. : )

Thu Jun 10, 2010 2:00 am

They came up today! Yay! The patience was well rewarded. : )

Thu Jun 10, 2010 3:05 am

I do believe Leeks are considered cold weather, but they will tolerate some heat. I planted some last year in the spring, and they were ready in November. I also planted Leek starts in April, and they will be pretty big by the fall. I tend to buy Leek starts because Leeks take forever to grow. Also I buy my leeks starts online because they are a lot bigger than anything you can buy in stores. I don't bother starting them from seed.

Thu Jun 10, 2010 4:03 am

Yeah, I realize I'm probably way to late to make them work, but now that they're going I may as well see what happens. I'm somewhat hoping that if they start now, they'll finish in cooler weather..? Can you have a late leek crop? I guess I'll find out! :wink:

Thu Jun 10, 2010 11:04 am

I have never grown leeks, so I have no experience to draw on. But they are in the same family with garlic and onion, both of which overwinter. So I would suggest if your leeks aren't well developed by the time winter comes (pretty likely with the late start) just leave them in the ground. They will probably overwinter and start growing again in the spring.

Thu Jun 10, 2010 12:51 pm

It will be interesting to see how they do. I like to try something new each year. One never knows, we might discover something that works and we really like. Leeks are probably like onions in that you can use them at any stage in their development. I assume too that the whole plant is edible. I have never tried Leeks myself. Maybe something for next year?

Thu Jun 10, 2010 2:37 pm

Keep us updated on how they do. It'll be interesting to see the results since they will be grown somewhat late in the season.

Mon Jun 14, 2010 6:17 pm

Here is a picture of my baby leeks. Keep your fingers crossed for them! :wink:

Wed Oct 20, 2010 7:15 pm

Leek update.. They're not looking very big yet. I'll have to try overwintering them as suggested and see once what they do. I'll post pictures later tonight.. : ) Gotta run to work! Just wanted to 'bump' the thread for easy finding later. : )

Fri Oct 22, 2010 7:16 pm

leeks take time. I start my seeds in Jan to set out in May.

something no one has noticed . . . leeks are biannual. they grow in season one but don't set seed until season two. started in Jun 2010, I suspect they won't start going to seed until 2012.

Mon Oct 25, 2010 6:14 pm

This is my first year growing leeks too but I sowed them in march/April and planted them outside at June/July.
They are quite slow growers and I found that they take about 14-18 days to germinate and I have seen in many books and websites that they take about 40-45 weeks from sowing to lifting. If you plant them in march they should be able to lift from late october/November to late March/April.
I'm not sure how much this will help but it may in the future!
Hope they do well!