Leeks are in the Alliaceae/onion botanical family, encompassing the attributes of onions, garlic, shallots and chives, with the same conditions for optimal growing. The best set of circumstances for successful proliferation are cool temperatures, a rich, deep loam medium and abundant water early in their planting. Their start is via seeds in early March, and are then transplanted to the garden in two to three months. Growing leeks requires some finesse in learning a few tricks to insure a quality product for the dinner table.
Temperature consideration offers the best advantage in achieving this plants optimal, plentiful growth. Temperatures must be cool, with harvest prior to frost. Generally, the south plants in the fall for a spring harvest, with the north seeing successful crops when outdoor planting occurs in April for a September harvest. Premium crops are tender and delicate in flavor, attained by maintaining mounds of composted soil at the plant stems throughout the growing cycle, creating blanched, white stalks.
Although similar to onions and garlic plants, the difference is that the leek is non-bulbing. Low in calories, high in iron, vitamins B6 and C, folate and fiber, the prime edible portion is the stalk, with the leaves creating excellent leek and potato soup. Baby leeks, like baby carrots, are a tender, delicious vegetable.
When the circumference is pencil-sized, transplantings should be placed in their final bed, spaced at 4-6 inches at a depth at 6" in rows at least 10" apart. Transplants should be set at the bottom of the hole covered up to the first leaf notch with well-composed soil, leaving the rest of the hole empty, filling it gradually to allow blanching of the stem. Planted nearby, the best companion plants are onions, celery and carrots. Avoid the negative effects of beans, peas and strawberries in close proximity.
Although the grocery store leeks are usually large, it is difficult to deny the appeal of direct from the garden freshness at the table. Techniques such as maintaining gradual hilling of the soil at the stalk level for blanching, encourages tender, flavor-enhanced vegetation. The practice of wrapping each stalk in parchment is unnecessary to achieve prize-winning stature in this vegetable. Cutting the top segment of the leaves encourages greater sized leeks ready for harvest after ten-weeks.
With a little attention to detail, maintaining the health and optimal growth is not labor intensive. Young transplants need weed-free, stone-free soil. Hilling is a technique performed during the growth cycle to create the finest crop with tender, flavorful, sturdy stalks. Plant rotation insures disease-free, pest-free gardening.
The optimal manner of cultivating the soil around the plant encourages the soil to accumulate within the leaves. Plant integrity is maintained with the majority of the cleaning performed as the plants rest in water. Final rinsing easily removes any residual garden debris.
After cleaning, store the produce in airtight, plastic bags in the refrigerator vegetable crisper remaining at their peak for at least a week. Growing leeks brings mild, slightly sweet, onion freshness to the table and ornament to the garden.
Temperature consideration offers the best advantage in achieving this plants optimal, plentiful growth. Temperatures must be cool, with harvest prior to frost. Generally, the south plants in the fall for a spring harvest, with the north seeing successful crops when outdoor planting occurs in April for a September harvest. Premium crops are tender and delicate in flavor, attained by maintaining mounds of composted soil at the plant stems throughout the growing cycle, creating blanched, white stalks.
Although similar to onions and garlic plants, the difference is that the leek is non-bulbing. Low in calories, high in iron, vitamins B6 and C, folate and fiber, the prime edible portion is the stalk, with the leaves creating excellent leek and potato soup. Baby leeks, like baby carrots, are a tender, delicious vegetable.
When the circumference is pencil-sized, transplantings should be placed in their final bed, spaced at 4-6 inches at a depth at 6" in rows at least 10" apart. Transplants should be set at the bottom of the hole covered up to the first leaf notch with well-composed soil, leaving the rest of the hole empty, filling it gradually to allow blanching of the stem. Planted nearby, the best companion plants are onions, celery and carrots. Avoid the negative effects of beans, peas and strawberries in close proximity.
Although the grocery store leeks are usually large, it is difficult to deny the appeal of direct from the garden freshness at the table. Techniques such as maintaining gradual hilling of the soil at the stalk level for blanching, encourages tender, flavor-enhanced vegetation. The practice of wrapping each stalk in parchment is unnecessary to achieve prize-winning stature in this vegetable. Cutting the top segment of the leaves encourages greater sized leeks ready for harvest after ten-weeks.
With a little attention to detail, maintaining the health and optimal growth is not labor intensive. Young transplants need weed-free, stone-free soil. Hilling is a technique performed during the growth cycle to create the finest crop with tender, flavorful, sturdy stalks. Plant rotation insures disease-free, pest-free gardening.
The optimal manner of cultivating the soil around the plant encourages the soil to accumulate within the leaves. Plant integrity is maintained with the majority of the cleaning performed as the plants rest in water. Final rinsing easily removes any residual garden debris.
After cleaning, store the produce in airtight, plastic bags in the refrigerator vegetable crisper remaining at their peak for at least a week. Growing leeks brings mild, slightly sweet, onion freshness to the table and ornament to the garden.
About the Author:
Susan Morgan loves writing about vegetable gardening and home gardens. If you enjoyed this writeup, be sure to read this on how to grow leeks.