Leeks

The leek is a tough little veggie - particularly recommended for harsh or exposed places, but they do need a pretty rich soil and are not worth growing where soil is thin or poor.

To prepare the ground for leeks, dig deeply and throw in heaps of compost or manure, forking in a good fertilizer at 4 oz. per square yard before you begin.

You can either sow the seeds in boxes in February and germinate them under glass. Then you’ll have plants ready to be put out in May or early June.

Alternatively, the seeds can be sown outdoors in situ in late March or early April in drills half an inch deep and eight inches apart.

Thin the seedlings as soon as you can and plant them in their final positions in early June.

There is a really good technique for planting out leeks that helps them thicken out; using a dibber, make holes about nine inches deep and nine inches apart, set in rows fifteen inches apart. Traditionally the leaves of the plant are shortened by one third and dropped one plant into each hole but don’t fill the holes with earth after planting; simply give them a thorough watering immediately. This will wash a certain amount of soil goodness around the roots, and rainfall and normal cultivation will do the rest - earth-up around the plants if you want blanched stems.