Growing Leek as a Vegetable

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

Picture of leeks. Click to enlarge. Copyright David Marks

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.

CLICK HERE FOR NEXT LEEK PAGE

Name: Yvonne
E-mail: thisway@sasktel.net
Date posted: August 08, 2011 - 02:22 pm
Message: We have grown wonderful leeks from nursery bedding plants for years. However, this year, we planted leek seedlings that were started from seed by a friend the previous year and left in the garden over winter (Zone 3-4 in Saskatchewan, Canada), as they did not sprout and grow very much. The seedlings were dug up and transplanted in a proper trench bed, following the usual gardening methods for leeks we've grown in the past. However, although these transplants started out OK, they then started putting out flower stalks. Assuming we could treat them the same as same-year transplants, we trimmed them down as usual, but they have since done nothing! Am wondering if this is because they are Biennual, and thus will only want to produce seed? Please advise, and whether these are of any value at all.

Name: Ron Iacovone
E-mail: roniacovone@yahoo.com
Date posted: July 10, 2011 - 02:40 pm
Message: I'm not sure exactly what I'm doing but a friend gave me some seeds that resemble a small tad-pole. Is that what the seeds look like? Anyway I planted them 21 days ago and just now something is popping through.I hope there leeks.I'm in coastal NC and will see what happens next.

Name: Carolyn Skidmore
E-mail: Private
Date posted: May 09, 2011 - 10:29 pm
Message: Saw a huge Leek plant with huge global ball at top. Want to get one started for my garden. How do I begin?

Name: claire gangell
E-mail: Private
Date posted: November 28, 2010 - 01:43 am
Message: I had no idea how to grow leeks but wanted to have a go so thankyou for the advice.will log in again re other vegies i am growing.

Name: Buck Hulse
E-mail: Private
Date posted: July 31, 2010 - 05:41 pm
Message: Gardening beginner trying new stuff for 2010 season. I realized I didn't have a clue how to grow, let alone harvest a number of my choices. Looks like I lucked into a good resource for my lack of knowledge.