I tried this last growing season. The leeks went in at what I hoped was the proper root level and kept their tops. Despite our horrible drought they managed to keep foliage for several months. For a while the leeks even seemed to thrive. Unfortunetely they may have died by summers end so I'll try again this spring with ones I grew from seed last year (5 survivors from 1 packet, my methods need work). Give it a try red, I wish you greater success than mine.