vegetable virgin...

[giraffeski]

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leeks I can do.... sow your seeds (merrily) and when the offspring reach the size of a pencil, gently ease them out and dib a hole (about 1" wide), stand the baby leek in it and fill with water... do not backfill the hole. Give plenty of room between dibs (imagine full grown leek top)
Serah Flowerdew

Mmmmmmmmmmmm love the surname, Mrs Flowerdew.

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Yes, I've had it changed by deedpoll.

Casting my mind back I THINK that the holes have to be "just above the white bit" deep.

Unfortunately I can't ask my dad anymore as he has a form of Alzeihemers and doesn't remember ever having grown leeks, although he is sure he must have done...... !

Ooops... forgot to answer the standing up bit.... from what I remember, if you just hold them whilst watering the hole, some soil sediment gets washed into the hole and settles at the bottom, holding the leek up. Or you get wonky leeks. One of the two ; )
Its been a while since I grew them as you can tell..!
By the way, the "thinnings" make for lovely "baby leeks" sold in supermarkets for silly money!