Grow leeks from multisown modules: quicker, cheaper, easier, high yield

I have been multi-sowing many vegetables since the 1980s, and lately the method has become popular. No wonder in view of the money, time and space you save in propagation.
Then there is the benefit of companion cropping, because plants stay with their mates when planted and establish more quickly.
Another advantage is shallower planting, and easier harvesting.
Other veg you can multisow are listed on this page of my website www.charlesdowding.co.uk/lear...
See this video too • Multisowing modules to...
Best sowing date for leeks is mid spring, not too early or they many bolt/flower. I sowed these Philomene (Bingenheim Seeds) on 6th April.
I have two online courses which include hundreds of photos and exclusive video content, for more information go to charlesdowding.co.uk/product-...

[@alexandrecorbet9814]

Dear Charles Dowding community, for the ones of you who wonder what kind of knife Charles sometimes uses to harvest his vegetables, it's called Opinel. It's a knife created in my region in France over 130 years ago. The design almost didn't change since then. Opinel is a simple, strong and sharp knife, and it's actually cheap. Farmers, archeologists, geologists, explorers, campers, backpackers and people like you and me use it too, just for cooking for example, or to cut cheese of course! :) I have obviously no personal interest in this company, which is a local family business. Just wanted to mention it, because it's a very simple and humble knife, carrying a nice history and values I support. A bit like Charles' channel!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Merci Alexandre, bon a savoir! Je l'adore

[@gnomesgardens4393]

I second this! My 'Opinel No 8 Garden Knife' is my go-to garden all rounder. I've tried numerous different knives for harvesting, cutting twine, opening bags of potting mix, and other garden tasks but Opinel beats the rest by far!

[@busychrisgardening]

I also have one

[@pidgeonpost]

Just noticed these comments. I have an Opinel 8 too. Bought in France when on holiday 15+ years ago and it's been in my pocket almost every day since.

[@spandex7055]

The multi-sewing idea is brilliant, I used it for some of my beets this year and it worked out great. Less thinning, more "beet-ing"! Cheers Charles!

[@lynnrushton7458]

Oh dear.....I’m binge watching Charles again! I’m becoming nocturnal! Will be dreaming of planting veg again 🙈 #addicted

[@seanmartin19]

Ha ha, I've been doing the same. Today leeks and onions as I'm desperate to get sowing 😀

[@lynnrushton7458]

Sean Martin me too, but we have 5 inches of snow just now 😩☃️

[@DonnaBalzer]

What a great idea! I swear I learn something new every day and will seed more leeks your way this week!

[@janetkrehbiel5799]

Thank you for sharing your propagation methods. I have always planted corn with 3 seeds together in the row (direct seeding), and the plants always bear each other up against winds better than if they are singly planted. I will try your means of planting my root crops in the house before taking them outside. You've encouraged us alot. We've had such a trial with rabbits eating our baby plants off. Now I will buy row covers for that problem. Your videos have answered so many of our needs, and my husband and I thank you very much for taking time to share. God bless you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks so much for your feedback, makes me happy to hear of homegrown success.

[@Thrymheim1]

Loving these videos you have been publishing over the winter, great planning on your part. And great for us up in the cold where nothing can be done yet! Gives me something to do when the urge to start sowing is strong.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You will be so busy when the snow melts

[@bestcrossroad]

Always an inspiration of doing things in different ways! Thank you, Charles!

[@sjobang]

Your channel is a great find, Charles. I simply love your positive attitude and no sweat approach, to gardening.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

thankyou sjobang

[@christinamoxon]

This is fantastic for those of us with small spaces to grow in. Thank you Charles.

[@NicksAllotmentDiary]

Hi Charles. I’m going to give that a try this year. Looks to be very successful. Take care. Nick

[@m.lansley6590]

Thankyou for your advice on liming my raised bed before planting brassicas. I will be planting in clumps like in your video.

[@mikehurdiss226]

That was a timely update Charles. Just came back from the local garden centre where I was browsing through the leek seed...and thought to myself...im going to module sow this year like Charles and put them in my no dig border!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice one, you picked up the vibes and don't need a computer!

[@LindaPenney]

Awesome update thank you Charles for sharing and your time

[@MeganSherow]

Loads of gratitude for sharing this growing method! I’ve starting harvesting my first leeks all the way in tropical zone 12, all grown brilliantly multisown.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wonderful Megan, thanks for your feedback

[@mcdutchoriginal]

Love your video's, finally got my own allotment garden this year. I will definitely be transplanting multisown leeks there :)

[@susancaulton5470]

Wow, that’s something I shall be doing this year! Thank you again for such good quality videos and generous sharing of knowledge. I’ve just ordered one of your books and am so exited to read it. In the meantime I am gorging on your videos

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Susan, you are building good energy there!

[@c.s.5177]

I love these growing guides.

[@myhillsidegarden3998]

Charles, I am enjoying this series you've been doing. I am hoping to implement several of them in my own gardens. Looking forward to more of your videos. Enjoy the weekend. Catherine

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Catherine

[@dinetk3125]

I will try that! Leeks have not done well on my allotment last year

[@guymansford7123]

Charles. Great video. I sowed my Bandit leeks last year and have just finished harvesting them mid-April this year. Interesting result. Half I did like you with multi sewing in 7cm pots. The same seedlings were also pricked out individually into root trainer pots. So half bed multi and half individual. the results were surprising. The individual sown were bigger but the overall yield from multi was much greater. Most surprising however was that the individual had a heavy infestation of allium leaf miner which made some unuseable. the neighbouring multi sown (same treatment otherwise) had no infection. Clear win for multi sowing. thanks again.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hello Guy, thanks for your feedback and what a fascinating result. There's something going on with multisowing!! Love it. So good you did a trial.

[@MrMakeStuff]

Absolute natural, always so calming to watch your content.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou Mr

[@lenamccown5442]

Love it. Learn so much from you. Thank you.

[@evephillips6701]

Wow those leeks are amazing.....Very lush as are all your crops...Good video Charles as always!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Eve, we had a nice damp summer and they like that!

[@sueneishii5390]

Leeks are definitely a challenge for me. I did okay growing them last year. I will definitely like to try your method of growing them...they sure do look tasty Charles😊

[@vulk86]

You are a genius. Thanks for the great information. Greetings from Belgium!

[@tyrloki5999]

Those leeks look superb! My mind and salivary glands are running wild with ideas...Sir Charles, your veggies respond to your sensibility.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are a poet

[@tyrloki5999]

Barmy at times. Prejudice with sense, pride with sensibility. Last British outpost here - KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Barmy is what the world needs, look what 'normal' is doing. Amazing you are so far away, we were in Cape Town and loved it, after Christmas, but I fear for their water supply.

[@tyrloki5999]

Charles, CT will be fine. Total lavatory: and then Mother Nature will shower her favourite daughter with beautiful blessings. I too, dote upon my Mother City.

[@allotmental.]

I never thought of sowing them that way! I'll be sowing some like that over the next few weeks :-)

[@fjalar4856]

Thanks Charles! Will try this immediately.

[@craigmetcalfe1749]

Hey Charles! I have invited British Royalty into my garden in the form of King Richard Leeks which I believe are an early variety. I notice that exactly one year ago I was commenting on your video, so a gardener is more so if he/she survives more than one season. I have to tell you that for some reasons I have edible weeds cropping up in the form of Asian Greens and Tomatoes. I can't even remember how I got volunteers where they now appear but I am happy with what has been given to me and my family. I think that volunteers are the growers equivalent of the chef's treats in the kitchen. Hope you are travelling well my learned friend and yes I will buy your latest book, so that we can make more of our connection. Cheers!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

What, no May Queen lettuce or King Edward potatoes?! Yes that is an early variety. Enjoy your treats and it sounds like you are growing well 🌱

[@marckvaler3726]

love it. this how to series is great. Happy to have your book DIARY to match whit the videos

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Marck, glad you like them

[@grandiesgarden175]

Ben from Roots and Refuge sent me! Love your videos

[@infinitelyblessed359]

I love the greens and I'm glad you made this video on leeks cuz I was going to growing them by deep planting them and that would have been a disaster for me. Than you soooo much!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Great to hear!

[@paolomaggi8188]

Wow!!! What a lot of news on your website!! Your are better than a "garden encyclopedia"!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Paolo and glad you are finding it

[@CaptChaos1964]

Thanks very much Charles, yet another great technique, I can add my long dibber to my spade at the back of the shed, in the never to be used again section!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Funny, though I use a long dibber to make shallow holes as it saves bending over

[@CaptChaos1964]

Charles Dowding That’s a very good point!

[@tubecontec]

Just as Bob Ross used to say "cause everyone needs a friend"

[@lynnrogers2877]

Great pointers! I will plant in clumps!

[@craigmetcalfe1749]

I have planted my first lot of leeks multisown (more by accident than design) in my Victory garden and have been concerned as any new gardener, that I had stuffed something up. Thank you Charles for putting my mind to rest and I look forward to the first harvest of my little mates. I'm off now to look for recipes. Cheers!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice to hear Craig!

[@craigmetcalfe1749]

Hey Charles! After following your guidance, I have now harvested my first leeks just 30mins ago. My wife has pan fried them, made a bechamel sauce, and added chopped chives from the garden and smoked chicken (not from the garden because I don't like anyone smoking ;-)). All this goodness finds it's home in a few vol-au-vents which you no doubt might remember from your Flair days, although I suspect that you can still fit in yours. I just thought I would thank you and show you how your sage advice comes full circle even in these challenging times. Stay safe and test negative!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

This is so funny Craig and lovely to imagine you enjoying the leeks! Thanks for sharing, and yes I fit!

[@PenTangleify]

Very helpful and relaxing mate :)

[@gudgengrebe]

I’m going to try this next season.

[@rachaelshomemade]

Great tip Charles, brilliantly explained for a beginner like myself. Thank you, Rachael

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

I am happy to hear that Rachael

[@raymartin7172]

Agreed.. Perhaps the received wisdom isn't always right.

[@spencersnursery1547]

Well done. Great video like always :)

[@stevendowden2579]

well worth a try i will give it a go

[@valjalava1951]

Looks delicious,,I will try your way and see how they turn out ,,I usually just plant 1 at a time

[@FG-kz2fu]

Never know this was possible! Thanks :D I have the same sweater haha

[@permavidda9911]

Merci pour cette vidéo. C'est instructif et clair. C'est la première fois que je vois des bouquets de poireaux. C'est une méthode que je vais reproduire sur mon jardin. Encore merci.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Formidable, et j'adore la phrase "bouquets de poireaux". En anglais, les bouquets sont de fleurs!

[@marylowe9682]

OK Charles thank you again I will sow leek soon lovely leek

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Not before early April Mary, as I say in the blurb

[@niallwildwoode7373]

So all the traditional faffing-around with deep holes and filling with water to make the walls collapse back, is just about blanching? No more of that then! Your multi-seed module sowing and planting, is a revelation. Thankyou for sending my veg growing up several notches.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Niall and yes there is a glorification of complication in many spheres of life: much of gardening is actually quite simple.

[@superjake01251]

Great video. I've started my leeks for spring at the end of Jan. to put out in late March or early April here once it warms up a bit (deep pots). I didn't multi sow these, as I'd like to stick them in different places through the garden, maybe scattered in a salad bed or even with the beans, etc. I might try this for autumn cropping however. Excited to start my no dig garden this year! I've got more compost today, and the plan is to spread a few inches on the lawn, cover with cardboard, and plant through holes in the cardboard later this summer if it isn't full decomposed.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good. Or if you have enough compost for 4in, lay card then the compost on top, and plant as soon as the season is right. Many options.

[@ienekevanhouten4559]

I am so doing this in 2019!

[@49testsamiam49]

iM covering my beds with rotted steer manure 2 inches and planting lots of cells like your are doing Im looking forward to seeing the results

[@wilbursmith2955]

Many thanks 5 stars well done.

[@jonathancorbyn8203]

It would be interesting to see you sowing the leeks.

[@johnjanedoe1676]

I love your videos! Thank you! Too bad we're still so deep in snow with frozen water line... I want to get to gardening! Your vids help me get through this harsh time. :D

[@johnambrogio9585]

Wayne & Jessica Thompson I know what your saying. I live in Michigan, and getting 8" of snow today. Watching Charles videos keeps my sanity, and wishing I was in my gardens.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks both and yes we are fortunate here, may your spring come before too long. Here it was 43 max today, slight frost tonight.

[@jerricroft937]

John Ambrogio look up the winter harvest with Eliot Coleman .

[@HoosierBenzo]

Lovely birdsong in this video

[@sislertx]

Holy moly...never thought to do this with leeks

[@bethanskitchengarden]

Hi Charles, thanks for sharing, I tried this method this year and it was a bit hit and miss but my soil wasn’t mulched or prepped beforehand so I’m giving it another go in raised no-dig beds this time...fingers crossed 🤞

[@gawain8000]

How did the next experiments go?

[@tonyhirst3628]

Rather than multisow,using the traditional method of 'dibbing ''ie,dropping a leek seedling into made hole, ad 3 or 4 instead of the one,you can thin down by enjoying baby leeks early autumn therefore ending with as big a yield as you show yet retaining a blanched stem. I watched this and was impressed and put into use all your multi - sow technicques,just instinctively variated with your way and the traditional and was impressed,love your inspirational and thoroughly enjoyable channel.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hey Tony that is great, I love that you are trying things based on what I show, we all have so much to learn and it's fun, plus best of all productive.

[@petara6065]

Lovely leek Charles and I have no idea too why leeks have to be pale, yours are so much tastier. This year I will give your multisow method a try too. My garden season has already begun with peas for shoots in modules, never did peas in modules before.They are just lurking out of the compost... I am looking forward to your advice, as I have so much to learn, thank you.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Petara

[@marcoursi6062]

Charles, the green tops are great to make vegetable or beef/chicken/fish stock.....use them first before composting them.....love your content, your knowledge and the way you present it......great work!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou Marco and a nice tip

[@mirkograveho1388]

Great video, thanks for sharing your trick!! I actually do the same with broad beans!!! They tell you to plant 3 beans into each hole, then chop off the weak, leave the strongest out of the three. I never can bring myself to chop anything off, so I always grow broad beans in clumps of 3 !!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

That is awesome!

[@gardeningplus7271]

Charls is the man,5*

[@Daniel-qj3tp]

Good work

[@alexandregoulart8682]

Great Garden. Alex from Brazil.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Alex

[@timgallagher1761]

I love to see that lush garden. I've noticed too that many growers are talking about no till? Gee that sounds a little like what I see you've been about for quite awhile with No Dig. Know you are welcome in New Hampshire anytime during the growing season. Really like the mass germination and multi sowing I'm using those practices now here in New England !

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hello Tim and thanks for your comment and the invite, usually I don't travel much in summer! It's good to hear of no till being out there now, funny how it has taken so long really.

[@victoriajohnson5304]

YUM!🌻 ❤FROM DALLAS TEXAS

[@gliOrtidiMauro]

fantastico. grazie.

[@maneenuchchannel444]

Very good

[@mike1968442]

Due to health issues and age, I must do my large gardening via extra large raised beds. My beds are 18 inches high. Furthermore, we garden in two cycles in southern Arizona. Were water is always an issue. We havent planted anything as the massive raised beds are still being built and filled. This situation automatically lends itself to no dig gardening. I hope once my plants get started that I can yield high crops. I too have solicited many neighbors scraps for my compost piles. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am trying to take your guidance and modify it for my particular lifestyle.

[@plantsoverpills1643]

Great idea for the purpose of harvesting. Generally need more than 1 leek anyhow….saves on pulling them up individually.

[@dorothyfu7540]

I think the beauty of this method is that you don't get a lot of sand inside. Leeks usually needs to be washed deeply. I definitely will try this method.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good point Dorothy. I have grown them like this for so long that I forgot to mention that benefit.

[@darrenbetts2987]

I grew leeks multi sown in modules and individual from my seed bed last year. All did average at best for some reason but I normally have great success with multi sowings of countless things.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

A good challenge for you Darren, better leeks in 2018

[@darrenbetts2987]

Charles Dowding indeed! Also onions from seeds always defeat me so that’s another challenge.

[@sampson028]

Im gonna try to grow my leeks this way this year haha. They're technically multi sown already, I just haven't thinned out the modules... and now I might just not... haha.

[@sjobang]

If you grow asparagus it would be interesting to see how you go about it.

[@sweetvuvuzela4634]

They enjoy buddy company 🥰 🎋🎋

[@jameswallace1123]

Thank you sir

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

You are welcome

[@marylowe9682]

ahhh thank you lot .not yet

[@Kristawf]

Hey Charles. I religiously watch you videos and am putting your methods to use. Can you please make a video on asparagus.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks, time allowing we could

[@donnasaunders4220]

i love your mind. I found you on accident and cant stop watching. im always asking myself did the onions cluster after falling over to go to seed decided to stand up and sow each seed in a line. I'm enjoying a lot of your methods. thank you! I was wondering what your thoughts were on the ladbrooke tool(soil block maker).

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thankyou Donna and I like the results of soil blocking, and sowing into blocks. Seedlings grow well. Just I have plenty of module trays and it's quicker to fill them then to make blocks.

[@Shanmammy]

I sure hope you made some money from all your ideas, experiments, and hard work!!

[@riverstun]

Some ideas for future videos - questions I'm facing in my own garden. (1) You have market gardened in Morocco? I'd love to hear your tips for working with the different seasons in a Mediterranean climate (I'm in California, moved from Ireland, and the differences are interesting, from the ability to grow broad beans in winter to the need to have them flower before the weather turns hot, even sometimes in April its too late for pollination - but also adapting to the rain cycle.. it's far easier to grow greens in winter than in summer, and to limit water use, I basically switch to growing in buckets of compost in summer (tomatoes, pepper, eggplant etc.). But everything for me is an experiment in beating the heat and drought and making the most of the extended seasons (my chilli plants are looking at their 3rd season now, growing outdoors). (2) I'm also interested in maximizing value I get from the garden, which is a whole 'nuther dimension. For example, although I occasionally grow carrots and potatoes for various reasons, I usually do not, because they are so cheap to buy. Ditto peas, although I am growing some this year for greens. But I do grow lemongrass, oregano, kaffir lime leaves, basil, rosemary, sage, etc. because these are hideously expensive in the markets. I started gardening here again when I bought a plain tomato for $1. One tomato. $1. I can get a pound of chicken for that at times here. The fact that I grow tasty heirlooms is an added plus. But the point is that some veg are ridiculously expensive for how easy they are to grow/ the space/water they require (probably oregano is the top one here, because it grows on waste land without water AND feeds the bees). So I'd love to see your ideas on what crops give you the best value for the time/space/water. It's a complex topic, because some crops produce quickly (radish, lettuce, compared with leek, parsnip), others require very little space (lemongrass) or dont need prepared ground (oregano, rocket), etc. or the taste is just so much superior that it rockets up the value in another way (heirloom tomatoes).

[@riverstun]

Then there is (3) the whole idea of growing veg in a way that looks like landscape gardening - planting in mixed drifts, irregular beds, having veg that flower or have colorful foliage (I have large red mustard right now growing against a backdrop of fennel with flashy troutback lettuce in the front - but I let my kale go to seed, my onions, my chicory - and dont cut them down, but let them grow and recover like a perennial, harvesting poorer veg, perhaps, but from an ongoing landscape. Also included runner beans (even though they dont set well here, but sometimes I get a few handfuls), peach and plum blossoms, citrus (both flowers and fruit look lovely) and so on. One can have something that looks essentially like a wild-flower meadow/forest margin that is mostly edible. Also, the mixed plantings that look good can also help the soil and repel pests in terms of the polycultural aspect. But I'm always looking out for tips and tricks on this.

[@davidweale9621]

Another great video, they all bear multiple viewings. I would like to know how to encourage leeks to produce "bubils or pips" and growing leeks from it. I wonder if you know how to achieve this and if it would merit a video. may I thank you for you sharing your knowledge and expertise. All the best , David.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Good question David. If you leave a leak in the ground for one more summer and allow it to grow, there are pips at the base which do then regrow, slowly!

[@williamswinehart4111]

Charles very good video. I thought leeks were grown for the white part. Around here most people don't eat the greens.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

good you know that then!

[@james1976-nov]

Lovely ' thanks. Can i ask you to do a long video as i do like watching and listening.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Here is a long one 31min, includes leeks kzbin.info/www/bejne/baiphHeXqsyCetE

[@james1976-nov]

Love them .

[@hopespringseternal497]

Hi Charles, many thanks for sharing your gardening know-how. Just starting out with a no dig polytunnel garden in the Scottish Highlands. Going to try multi sowing my leek seeds but was wondering when you'd transplant from module to bed? Any help much appreciated! Alison

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Go well with that and it's June to July. If ground still growing eg potatoes you can move module to pots to keep leek plants growing

[@Digger927]

Oh ho hum, Charles, I'm just not impressed anymore. These are just more beautiful giant veggies like you always grow, I'm not sure what the big deal is about that. I'm totally lying....still impressed.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Nice try.... thanks Brent

[@Digger927]

Just kidding around with you sir, your vids are always a treat.

[@asharaniirom9714]

@@CharlesDowding1nodig ggfdj

[@kenrehill8775]

I’ve had to buy in mulch and compost this week, because my next door neighbour farmer, came and had 30 tons of horse manure and straw away before I could ask him to leave me a coupe of tins. I could have cried. Anyway, we’ve now learned to put some to one side. I’m late with my seeds so have bought in a load of plants just to get going. No dig seems to be not at all hard work, I’m loving it.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Wow that is a lesson learnt! And I wish you success Ken.

[@kenrehill8775]

Charles Dowding it’s a sensitive balance, he gives me the straw for free and take away the manure for free, he considers that what I I’ve him back has greater value that what he gives me. I just needed a little bit left. So now we put some to one side and wait for six months. What’s the earliest you’d put this kind of materiel on the beds?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

@@kenrehill8775 Yes ideally about six months. As mulch around say potatoes or squash, could be three, this summer.

[@michaeltoner1993]

great New Zealander!

[@lindastimer3674]

I am so impressed with your leeks, but also that little knife you have, how do you keep it so sharp? It looked like a mini machete!!!!

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hi Linda, it's an Opinel and the steel they use is especially hard so it stays sharp for longer, plus I sharpen it gently every two days or so.

[@Bobsmith-ot6si]

Yum yum x

[@rebecca2565]

Hi Charles and thanks for all your information presentation etc wonderful! What sort of distance are between leeks multisown and rows? Also do you leave more room in general with the multi sown? Also is all this sort of info available in your diary along with the combos you plant in and follow with? Thanks again- trying to do organic, nodig, biodynamic here ;)

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Rebecca and the Diary does not have a spacings table, but it's in No Dig Organic Home & Garden. Multisowngo almost as close as the traditional spacings of single sown, because conventional spacings are on the wide side. Average 12in/30cm for multisown leeks, beetroot, or a little more if you want bigger specimens.

[@VanderlyndenJengold]

I tried it; results aren't good. Differences may include: I have raised beds, at least one foot high, plus I fed them with comfrey liquid which may have been too rich. No allium leaf-miner damage but they are half the size of these. Mine were planted too close too I think. Still eating them though.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks for sharing, could be variety too and soil fertility, but good you had a harvest and can see improvements for 2021

[@beverlea1961]

Hi Charles. I’m trying your multi sow leeks this year after watching your video but I didn’t catch how deep you or when to plant the cells.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Not especially deep and any time from June to July

[@s.y.g-gamer2589]

great video Charles D learning soooo much i have grow some leeks form seed in the greenhouse and they are about 6 cm height could i plant out now under some fleece 30g i live in the Wyre forest or are they too small ? thank you sharing your wealth of knowledge :) p.s the cd trays are just the job

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

So nice of you. That is super early, I have not yet sown leeks until early April! They are on the small side really because also it will be very cold by night for the next month and then there is a tendency that they will bolt or flower by summer. I would keep them under cover for now, and also resow soon, for winter leeks

[@lewisgardner1660]

Yet another superb video thank you This will be my first year of no dig I have covered my gardens with alpaca poo then my own compost, is it a good idea to sprinkle over some Ashe I have from some old trees I burnt last year? I am chiting my potatoes ready to plant, my compost covering is about 4 inches deep will that be enough to plant my potatoes or do I need to put them deeper into the soil? Really enjoy watching your videos thank you for all the effort you put in doing them.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Thanks Lewis, glad the videos are good for you. 4in compost is enough to mulch potatoes except for maincrops that grow for longest and may then push tubers up to the light. Drop a little compost on top of them if that happens, by mid summer usually. Ashes are best for the compost heap as they leach potash in winter. Or sprinkle them when warmer in spring and plants are growing.

[@lewisgardner1660]

Charles Dowding Thank you I will use some ash later in the year, look forward to your next video.

[@marylowe9682]

Charles what about corianda and dill to sow then .

[@ecocentrichomestead6783]

On a different topic, I am going to try having transplants like you do for beets and things. In researching that, I came across the idea of "Soil blocks" that one can make at home from potting/seed starting mix or even just compost. Have you tried that? What do you think of it? It seems I am supposed to be able to start anything that way because the roots don't get disturbed. I'm going to have 400 transplants for beets alone.

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Yes Jotham, soil blocks work fine. It can be a small hassle to mix compost to a wet consistency and finding a suitable compost. Best of luck with that. I simply prefer modules, but am trying a few blocks this spring.

[@m.lansley6590]

I like your videos, your way of planting and the no dig method. I am almost ready to plant in my raised bed but need to ask you, is it ok to spread lime just before I plant my peas, alliums, beetroot and companion plants in my raised bed?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

If you want to, then rake it in. I guess you know the soil to be low pH? Normally lime is recommended for brassicas mainly, say if Ph is under 6.

[@rafa106900]

Charles, I went to your video bank on leeks because brother mentioned the important nutritional values of leeks. I am going to grow them-when do you start the seeds inside and when to harvest? I am in zone 7b in Virginia. As always, enjoy your educational videos. Thanks, Rafa

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Cheers Rafa and sow early April undercover, transplant June, harvest from early autumn

[@tombley5760]

Would the seeds still need removing from the seed head (there are 3 per "pod") or could the whole pod itself be sown?

[@CharlesDowding1nodig]

Hey good question Tom and if you are sure there's three seeds in each pod, that is possible!