Growing Leeks

This post is in response to comments from others who are thinking of trying to grow some leeks, so I hope it helps, and there is a link to read as well.

I have to say I have found leeks very easy to grow. They are very fiddley to prick out, imagine handling blades of grass & you have the picture. They also take a while to get to pencil thickness, which is when they are ready to plant out. I think the planting of them was the weirdest thing for me, you have to use a large dibber or a narrow trowel, make a hole and just drop the tiny leek into the hole, then fill the hole with water ( puddle in) and leave it. I just wanted to do what we usually do with anything we plant and that is to cover it around with soil, but you have to leave the soil to fill in gradually on it's own. This gives the leek room to swell. Also some people recommend earthing them up to give a longer white stem,(blanching) I didn't do this last year, but I am thinking about doing it this year to see what happens. I hope this doesn't put any of you off, as it's really worth all the effort, and once planted they are no bother at all. Here is a link for advice on growing: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/apr/05/13
and the best bit is yummy leek and potato soup.