[NorthEssexsmallholding]

I have my onion and leeks seedlings in the greenhouse as well as in cold frames, they are getting too big for their module trays now, I wondered when should I actually plant them out?  How long do they need to harden off before they can be planted?

Thanks

[Beewyched]

Our leek & onion seedlings are still in the grow-house (but that is more to do with the fact that they are still too small to plant-out - late sowing  )

We planted-out the sets about 2 weeks ago & they're flourishing.

Seeing as the weather is so warm, I would risk planting them out now - guessing that you have kept the coldframe lids open for a few days already, this should have hardened them off as much as needed.

[Eastling]

My onions and leeks are about 1 1/2 inches tall are they to small to plant out yet?

[poppajohn]

My sets go in as soon as they arrive, usually end of March. I wait for leeks to be at least 5 inches tall and plant out April / May. After you have dibbed the hole, pop the shoot in and water as per the tried and tested method, then I cut off the top 1 to 2 inches of the plant with scissors. I find that makes a healthier and stronger leek plant.
I dont bother with onion seed anymore, I find varieties like Fen Globe and Red Baron seem to do better as heat treated sets, plus sets get a head start over seed.

[Eastling]

Thanks just started to grow our own so may well ask a few more daft questions!  Have planted pots and carrots seeds and have beetroot, squash runner beans waiting to go out.

[poppajohn]

Good luck and ask away, seem a nice bunch of folk on here. Beware tho! Veg growing can lead to heated debates! 

[NorthEssexsmallholding]

will get planting them out soon, I have read that onion seeds are better as they produce a larger onion than sets.

Would a frost in the next few weeks do any harm to the onions or leeks?

[Eastling]

PJ you have obviously not been on the pig page!!

[poppajohn]

No Essex, frosts wont bother them, plant away. Seeds are fine for the show bench, but stick with sets, straight into the ground and weed and water, feed with a bit of blood, fish and bone. Fen Globe from Marshals are by far the best sets, I harvest September and they keep through until the end of May. Done them for twenty five years now and they have never let me down.

Eastling, I managed a pig unit for years, the pigs are fine, its pig keepers that I cant get on with. Too many opinions and too much jawing. Don't know why but sheep folk seem much less complicated! 

[Eastling]

PJ I am new to keeping pigs, we have just started with two GOS i agree that it does get a little heated at times, but everyone has an opinion that said the site does have some very experienced keepers/ gardeners who have a lot of knowledge to share.

[poppajohn]

East, we have a pig club here. Four of us take turns at care a week at a time, it works a treat for me as I dont have to talk to anybody unless theres a problem.
Maybe thats just age creeping on???

[Beewyched]

Heated - wot us 

It's passion for what we do & compassion for the welfare of our stock 

 

[poppajohn]

I just like the bacon! One of the kids gives them names and cries when they are finished. I sprayed numbers on the last lot but I bet she will still cry.......

[deepinthewoods]

my leeks are out of poly tent and into the ground a week ago at about 6inches, sowed in feb. ill leave them tight in the bed for a month then plant out proper at 6inch spacing. my onion sets went in in october and are doing great guns  now. my seedlings are in tomorrow, i doubt they will beat the autumn sets tho, theyve got 8 good leaves already, might even be good for the show in summer. leeks seem to like transplanting and you get more white the deeper you plant at each move.

[suziequeue]

The great thing about the variety of opinion on TAS is that you can distill all the wisdom and knowledge and tailor it for your own situation.

Bestest