Leeks grow best in a sandy, well-drained soil mixture that boasts a slightly acidic pH level between 6. A nutritious soil is key to a good, leafy leek harvest, so consider amending yours with organic matter or rich compost. Leeks have shallow root systems and need to be watered frequently in order to thrive. In most environments, a weekly deep watering will suffice—however, if you live in a warmer climate or have been experiencing especially hot weather, you may need to increase your cadence.
Mulching will also help keep the soil cool, retain water, and prevent weeds. Temperature is not of particular importance when growing leeks.
You'll want to plant them in the cool early spring months, but other than that, you really don't need to worry though they do thrive in cooler weather. Leeks are especially cold hardy, and able to withstand temperatures well below freezing. Depending on the hardiness zone you live in, you may even be able to grow leeks as well as other cold-hardy vegetables throughout winter. Leeks are not heavy feeders, but because they take a while to mature, nutrient-dense soil is important to the success of your harvest.
A mid-season side dressing of composted manure or a high nitrogen fertilizer is beneficial. Most varieties of leeks require a fairly long growing season of — days, although some modern cultivars have been bred for shorter seasons lasting about 90 days. Unlike their cousin, the onion, leeks don't die back and signal they are ready to harvest. Instead, they are ready once the base has at least a three-inch white section and feels firm and solid.
Remove from the soil by twisting and pulling or digging. You can start leeks from either seeds or transplants. In colder climates, seeds can be started indoors, anywhere from eight to 12 weeks before your last spring frost.
Move outdoors when temperatures begin to stay above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and harden them off slowly for about seven days before transplanting them to the garden. In warmer climates, where spring and fall are your prime growing seasons, you can start your seed indoors approximately three to four weeks before your last spring frost and transplant outdoors for an early summer harvest.
Alternatively, you can direct seed in late summer and harvest in winter through early spring. When planting leeks, space your seeds at least 6 inches apart. To encourage a succulent white stem the edible part of the plant most frequently used in cooking , leeks must be blanched. This is another way of saying they should be hidden from the sun so that part of the plant doesn't make chlorophyll and turn green.
Protect against leek moth Cover the developing crop with well-pegged-down fleece from the moment you plant it.
This avoids infestations of leek moth, whose caterpillars cause foliage dieback and low cropping. Browse the fantastic range of fully mature hardy perennials, shrubs, ferns, grasses and bulbs to create a spectacular garden to enjoy all year round. Use code: GW Kick start the festive season and get in touch with your creative side with our minute online class on creating Christmas wreaths with natural materials. The perfect seasonal addition to your garden, these low-maintenance expertly trained evergreen trees can be enjoyed for years to come.
Home How to Grow plants How to grow leeks from seed. Follow our step-by-step guide to growing leeks from seed, below.
Step 1 Fill pots or seed trays with good quality, multi-purpose compost and firm gently. Sowing leek seed.
Transplanting young leeks. The spores will slightly reduce the yield and affects the look of the plant but won't kill it. For over wintering varieties frost will kill rust so it won't be long term problem. For Autumn Types you ca remove the affected leaves. Don't grow leeks on the same patch of ground the following year. Onion Fly Yellow, drooping leaves and tunnels in the plant tissue.
Leek Moth White streaks on the leaves. White Rot Yellow leaves, white or grey fungus at the base of the plant. White Tips Leaf tips die back with white papery patches on the leaves. They tend to be far less susceptible so you are not that likely to get them. A good crop rotation regime should protect you from most problems. Harvesting Leeks may be harvested from mid autumn through to the end of late spring, depending on the time of sowing and the variety. The hardier varieties are left in the ground until they are needed.
Never pull the leeks out of the ground by force or they will more than likely break in two, leaving you with just a handful of leaves. Instead, lever them out with a spade or a fork. Dig up the largest ones first, if you leave the smallest ones in the ground until the spring, they will put on some more weight before they flower. If the ground is likely to be frozen for a long period of time, it is a good idea to lift any leeks which are ready and store them in some sand in a cool place, where they will keep for about a month.
If by the end of the season you have a few leeks still left in the ground, but need to clear the plot, you can dig up the leeks and heel them in a shady place until they are needed. Lay them on their side in a shallow trench with the top part of the leaf stalk sticking out above the ground, covering the rest of the stalk with soil.
This also helps to stop them bolting. You can if you leave the leeks in the ground nip out the flower stems and you will get a bonus crop, leek bulbs. These small white bulbs will form at the base of the plant, and if you harvest them in early summer you can use them as onions or shallots. Leeks can take between 25 - 40 weeks to mature depending on the time of year you sow them. Overwintering leeks take longer to mature and should be ready about then. You can begin harvesting your leeks when still quite small to achieve a long cropping season.
Very large leeks have an inferior flavour so don't let them get too big. Dig beneath the plants with a fork or trowel rather than pulling them from the ground. Leeks will happily remain in the ground over winter so only harvest them when you need them.
Storage Leeks do not store as well as onions because they lack a tough outer skin, but can be kept in a plastic bag in the crisper of the fridge for up to a week. They are a good source of vitamins A and C, potassium and calcium. All our videos are filmed over a full season so you can see the sowing, planting, crop care and harvesting stages. You can view our Sprouting Broccoli video by clicking the link or the Youtube icon. Our mailers are not the usual stream of special offers.
We're passionate veg growers and pride ourselves at the quality of our content. We bring you tips from top growers while keeping you up to date on our own gardens. Delivery Information. How To Grow Leeks. Growing How To Grow Leeks printer friendly version. Grow Your Own Leeks Lovely long slender stems, this variety makes a lovely, tasty baby leek for harvesting from mid summer onward. Sowing Leeks Sow the leek seed thinly about 2. Summer and Autumn varieties: Hannibal , Sow in modular trays in a propagator mid February for planting out in mid April.
Autumn and Winter varieties: Blue-green winter, Northern lights , Sow in modular trays in a propagator mid March for planting out in mid May. Sowing in Modular trays. Here's what you do: Fill the seed tray with compost and brush off any excess. When filling the tray rub the compost through your hands to break up any lumps.
0コメント