Growing
Leeks
The leek is a great vegetable for cooler climates, it's easy to grow,
useful and very versatile. The white elongated bulb at the
base of the leaves, makes a very tasty, fresh vegetable, either on
its own or in stews or casseroles. The green leafy tops of
leek is
excellent for flavouring soups and stews. They are also
very nutritious and very rich in vitamin A. The leek is a
member of the onion family, but is far easier to grow than the
onion. The are able to grow in varied soil conditions, so
long as it is not waterlogged.
Most varieties are hardy and can remain in the ground throughout winter
weather until needed. You can sow early under
glass and have leeks ready for harvesting in the autumn, but it
is really during the winter and early spring that they are most
appreciated. Other vegetables are scarce at this time and
those you can buy in the shops are expensive.
LEEK QUICK GUIDE
Latin Name Allium ampeloprasum porrum
Type Hardy Biennial, grown as an annual
Site and Soil Best on moist light heavily
manured soil
Sowing to Harvest Time Is 30-45 weeks
How Many?
||Yields 10-12 plants per 3 m (10 ft) row
Size Leaves are up to 30 cms (1 in) long: Bulbs 7.5-15 cm
(3-6 in) long and up to 11 cm (4 1/2 in) in diameter.
Where
To Grow Your Leeks
Although the leek vegetable is tolerant of a wide range of soil types,
they grow best on a moist, light soil that has been heavily manured from
a previous crop. Freshly manured soil is not suitable, because
leeks grown in very rich soil will be coarse and tough and with far too
much leaf growth. If the soil is in need of organic matter, it is
best to dig in well rotted garden compost.
Click picture to enlarge.
In crop rotation, leeks
follow lettuce, cabbage or peas, but it is not a good idea to plant them
immediately after lifting early potatoes. This is because the soil will
be too loose and disturbed and leeks do best on a firm soil.
Choosing the site for sowing leeks may be influenced by the fact that
they are generally left in the ground to be dug as required during the
winter months, and can remain in the ground for a year or more.
Don't grow leeks in the same place year after year as there will be an
increased risk of pests and diseases.
Copyright 2000-08 David Marks. All rights reserved.
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