Posted: 18/09/2012 at 00:47
My dad used to grow show leeks in Tyneside. Actually won one year.
Make a leek bed, at least 2 feet deep, filled with WELL rotted horse manure, this should be made and completed by november, with 6 inches of good top soil on the top.
Set your special leek seed on boxing day and grow on. You will pay a lot of money for good seed from past winners. Get in touch with them, they want to sell.
Leeks are GROSS feeders, protect from the elements either by a poly tunnel, preferably a plastic mesh tunnel , a solid top with open sides that you can adjust the temperature/air.
To keep them clean, water with feed every night. A sudden deluge of rain can make them burst open. Keep the flags/leaves laid out and not rip or tear.
My dad also used chempack, also a bag of manure in the water butt.
Place funnels /drain pipes into the soil to direct the water/feed directly into the roots.
Do not go away on holiday and leave them without being watered/fed daily.
Grow many, not just the half dozen. Choose the best