Growing Leeks - Benefits and Instructions
Benefits of Growing Leeks
-
Cost Saving- Although leeks look like a larger version of green onions, they tend to have a hefty price tag at the grocery store.
- Medicinal- Leeks can help loosen phlegm and help with throat disorders. Related to garlic and onions, leeks contain some of the same anti-cancer compounds
- Nutritional Profile - Leeks contain calcium, magnesium, copper and manganese.
-
Use in: Soups, stews, grilled, braised.
To our Allium/Onion Family Collection
Growing Instructions
Culture:
Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Soil: Soil pH of 6.0-6.5. They are moderate feeders and require very deep, rich soil. Add compost and well-rotted manure prior to planting.
Moisture: Use mulch to conserve moisture and to keep the weeds down. Good soil moisture helps to keep the stems tender and juicy. Water during dry spells.
Planting: Start indoors 8-10 weeks prior to the last frost. Once soil can be worked in the spring, seedlings may be set in a trench about 5 inches deep, filling in enough soil to cover the roots. Gradually fill the trenches in during the season. Planting this way blanches the shaft.
Spacing: Plant 9 leeks per square foot of growing space using Square Foot Gardening Method. Or plant in rows 24 inches apart.
Sow seeds: Sow seed 1⁄4 inches deep and provide a soil temperature of 24 degrees C with even moisture.
Harvesting:
Harvest in late summer or early fall before frost. The shafts should be 11⁄2 inches-2 inches in diameter. Mulch with straw if frost threatens.
Storage/Preparation:
Storing the entire unwashed leeks in the fridge with the plastic bag can keep this ingredient for up to 2 weeks. Otherwise, you can freeze and preserve them for up to 3 months.
Companions:
Bush bean, beet, carrot, celery, garlic, onion, parsley, tomato.