Second year of trying and think its going to go wrong again. but might be salvageable I'm trying to grow leek seedlings in trays to get a head start on the canada summer. but having issues. seeds grew well, reaching about 4 inches. (last year at this point i feed them and expected them to keep growing, but they just fell over and died not growing in height) This year I read that if you trim them back to 2 inches it promotes more leaves and they do better. did this but getting the same problem of them laying over and dieing and not getting any more width or height. Should I be transplanting sooner? or am i missing a trick? thanks for the help dan moderator's note: added a more descriptive title to topic
I have never tried leeks but assuming they are similar to onions,,I would plant sooner and just mulch them in well leaving the tops above the mulch !! Onions do well in cold weather and I bet leeks would too !! If you rake your leaves that fall that would be excellent mulch for them !!
Everything I have found supports what Mart said. Plant them outside, don't worry about starting them inside. They should be hardy enough this time of year. I started green onions outside about 2 months ago and they are just starting to thrive and grow fast. Try some started directly outside and transplant the ones you have outside as soon as you can taking time to harden them off properly. The best explanation I can find for them dying after going good is lack of nutrients and not enough direct sunlight.
well i'm looking for an excuse to get something into my raised beds so great. got a few days of sun scheduled so perfect time. reckon I will try direct seed next year. Thanks for the help guys. being part welsh its embarrassing not being able to grow leeks
One thing about leeks that I remember from the old Victory Garden show is that you dig a pretty deep trench and plant them in the bottom !! As they grow you begin filling in with mulch and soil around the roots !! That keeps the root portion pretty and white as they should be !! If you don`t cover the edible portion I think they will be green and tough rather than tender and delicious !!
