Growing Leeks

Although they are members of the onion family, the leek has a more subtle and somewhat sweeter flavor than its onion cousins. Its development is quite unlike that of the onion or garlic to which it is related. Leeks do not form bulbs, nor do they produce cloves. The leek forms an edible 6-10 inch long stem which is round with a diameter of about 2 inches. However, the leaves are similar to those of garlic; they are flat and fanned instead of round, and hollow like onion leaves.

Leeks come in a range of varieties with differing times of maturity to ensure the widest cropping period. The most prevalent leek cultivars are the “summer leeks”. They are intended for harvest in the season in which they are planted. Overwintering leeks are sown in the late summer and are usually not harvested until the following spring.

How To Grow Leeks

Growing leeks is not any more complicated than growing any other garden vegetable. Leeks are very easy to start from seed and should be started about 8 weeks before planting outside. Prior to planting your leek seeds in your garden, you should harden them off by placing them inside a cold frame or moving them from inside to a well-protected outside spot.

Leek seeds can be planted straight into your garden, but because they have a long growing season (roughly 75-115 days) they are usually planted as seedlings. One leek seed or transplant will yield one sheath 6-8 inches long and 1-2 inches wide.

Leek Soil Preparation

 
One of the main things to keep in mind about leeks is that they are a cool season crop. While they are tolerant of hot summers, you may sacrifice some quality and may not get the same result as you would in a cool summer environment.

To prepare your soil you will want to fertilize it with a lot of compost, with ½ to ¼ cup of complete organic fertilizer worked into each 6” furrow. Leeks are light to medium feeders, and you should side-dress them in late May or June with a high nitrogen fertilizer e.g. cottonseed meal or nitrate of soda.

Planting Instructions For Your Leek Seeds

When your soil is correctly prepared you will be ready to plant your seeds. Wait until early to mid-spring to begin sowing leek seed, depending on the type of weather in your area. The seeds can be sown in a seed bed for transplanting in summer, or they can be sown in their permanent positions. If you sow in a seed bed, you will have the additional job of transplanting. Just remember this method is balanced by the fact that when sown in their permanent position the seeds will take up a lot of space before they produce results.

Put the seeds just under the soil surface, only a quarter inch deep, and place some loose soil on top of each seed. You’ll see sprouts in 2 or 3 weeks, and after another 4-6 weeks they’ll be thin stems, and you can start thinning them out. Start with 2 inches, and later thin to 4 inches.

Harvesting Leeks

Leeks can be harvested when they are 1.5 to 2 inches across. You can use a garden fork to loosen up the dirt close to the leeks. Push the fork in parallel, close to the row, pull back the handle, and force the soil to loosen up around the plant then pull it up by the leaves.

Leeks have large root systems, so digging is usually the preferred method when it’s time to harvest. Their varieties can vary in their maturity times. Leek plants can be harvested in as early as two months after planting, but generally require 100-110 days to really mature.