How best to sow my leeks???

mew · Post: # 54544Post **mew** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:30 am

Hi everyone

I sowed some leeks on 1 April and so far nothing has germinated.

Im about to sow some more and just wondered if im doing anything wrong.

This time i thought id try putting them in my airing cupboard - the first time time i left them in a tray in a clear plastic bag (swear word!!) in my unheated greenhouse having sowed them approx half an inch deep in some organic compost.

Help...??

Thanks
MEW

Wombat · Post: # 54556Post **Wombat** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 11:38 am

G'Day Mew!

I don't know much about leeks, don't like 'em so i don't grow 'em.

Half an inch deep though might be a bit deep. How big are the seeds? Generally you should only sow the seed as deep as twice to three times the diameter of the seed.

Nev

mew · Post: # 54564Post **mew** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 12:05 pm

Hi Nev

The seeds are small - I wont plant em so deep this time round.... fingers crossed

thanks MEW

red · Post: # 54566Post **red** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 12:14 pm

mine did take an age to germinate outside.. but.. they did in the end. also done some in a big pot in the greenhouse.

Flingdizz · Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:45 am

Mine took about 3 weeks in a cold frame in scotland.....have patience, I am sure you will see them soon! I did plant mine quite deep but I will do them shallower next time!

digiveg · Post: # 55053Post **digiveg** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 8:20 am

The smaller the seed, the shallower I plant it. I usually only barely cover leek seeds, so the problem then is keeping the top moist. I wouldn't put 'em in the airing cupboard as they don't really need it warm to germinate, and if they start to grow and then dry out, well, that's that.

I started three varieties on March 30th in 7" pots in a coldframe, and they were all coming up by April 7th. That's with fresh seed. Leek and onion seeds lose potency quite quickly, and the following year they'll take MUCH longer and you'll get a MUCH lower germination rate.