One of the things that’s actually appreciating the wet weather we’re having are my recently transplanted leeks. I sowed the leeks in pots way back in February but they can’t be put outside until June when it’s often a full time job keeping them watered enough to stop them bolting after the shock being transplanted. This year, there is no such problem and the fine mesh I’ve covered them with to keep the dreaded allium leaf miner at bay is filtering some of the wind, so these and the white onions they are sharing a bed with look a lot less battered than much of my other crops.
The leeks were sown in deep pots in the greenhouse, where they grow very slowly. By May, they look like very thin spring onions and it’s that point that they can be planted outside, once all risk of frost is past. Rake and firm down the soil, and make holes in the ground about 9 inches (20cms) apart each way using a dibber or wooden pole about an inch or two thick. I make the holes anything up to a foot deep as this helps to make the leeks produce long white shafts. Carefully tease apart your bundle of leek seedlings, being careful not to damage the roots - it’s easier if you soak them in a bucket of water and wash the roots with a hose. Drop individual seedlings into each hole - it doesn’t matter if only a small tuft of green is above ground.
Don’t fill the holes in, but water them well and keep them watered - the soil will gradually fill the holes. Over the next few days, check that birds and other visitors haven’t pulled them out and pop them back in if they do. If you’re in an area affected by leaf miner, you need to keep them well covered with a fine mesh - my construction here is help up by hoops of water pipe from a builders’ merchant and held down securely with tent pegs.
