Temperature Is Critical In Growing Leeks
Leeks are a biennial allium, whose tribe includes onions, garlic, shallots and chives. This white stalked plant is mild, sweet, onion flavored, with a stronger flavored green top. The success of the plant growth is dependent on cool, but not freezing temperatures for optimal growth cycle. With careful planning and consideration of seasonal temperatures, nitrogen rich soil and adequate moisture, especially in the beginning, growing leeks will be a productive endeavor that adds freshness and health to dining pleasure.
The most difficult part of growing is gearing the planting for cool temperatures, and avoiding a frost with seedlings. Quality suffers with growth in hot summers. In areas of mild winters, leeks can be planted in the fall and with proper mulching will perform well, but will not survive extremes of cold and snow. In the north, they are best planted in the spring for a fall harvest. The quality of the flavor is enhanced with mounded soil surrounding the stem, where it will blanch it white. Gradually, throughout the season, continue to add soil.
Leeks, like shallots, are tuberous vegetables that are grown from seeds rather than the similar onion and garlic family members, grown from bulbs. The subtle flavor and tender texture of the plants are rich with iron, B6 and vitamin C, folic acid and fiber, for a nutritional yet low-calorie feast. Both the stalk and leaves add health to a variety of gourmet dishes.
When the circumference is pencil-sized, transplantings should be placed in their final bed, spaced at 4-6 inches at a depth at 6" in rows at least 10" apart. Transplants should be set at the bottom of the hole covered up to the first leaf notch with well-composed soil, leaving the rest of the hole empty, filling it gradually to allow blanching of the stem. Planted nearby, the best companion plants are onions, celery and carrots. Avoid the negative effects of beans, peas and strawberries in close proximity.
Although the grocery store leeks are usually large, it is difficult to deny the appeal of direct from the garden freshness at the table. Techniques such as maintaining gradual hilling of the soil at the stalk level for blanching, encourages tender, flavor-enhanced vegetation. The practice of wrapping each stalk in parchment is unnecessary to achieve prize-winning stature in this vegetable. Cutting the top segment of the leaves encourages greater sized leeks ready for harvest after ten-weeks.
With a little attention to detail, maintaining the health and optimal growth is not labor intensive. Young transplants need weed-free, stone-free soil. Hilling is a technique performed during the growth cycle to create the finest crop with tender, flavorful, sturdy stalks. Plant rotation insures disease-free, pest-free gardening.
At harvest, the plants will require some attention in removing the soil from the leaves that the mounding process created. Allowing the harvested plants to soak in a water-filled pan will see most of the debris floating off of the leaves. The remainder of any accumulation can easily be rinsed free of the leaves.
After cleaning, store the produce in airtight, plastic bags in the refrigerator vegetable crisper remaining at their peak for at least a week. Growing leeks brings mild, slightly sweet, onion freshness to the table and ornament to the garden.
The most difficult part of growing is gearing the planting for cool temperatures, and avoiding a frost with seedlings. Quality suffers with growth in hot summers. In areas of mild winters, leeks can be planted in the fall and with proper mulching will perform well, but will not survive extremes of cold and snow. In the north, they are best planted in the spring for a fall harvest. The quality of the flavor is enhanced with mounded soil surrounding the stem, where it will blanch it white. Gradually, throughout the season, continue to add soil.
Leeks, like shallots, are tuberous vegetables that are grown from seeds rather than the similar onion and garlic family members, grown from bulbs. The subtle flavor and tender texture of the plants are rich with iron, B6 and vitamin C, folic acid and fiber, for a nutritional yet low-calorie feast. Both the stalk and leaves add health to a variety of gourmet dishes.
When the circumference is pencil-sized, transplantings should be placed in their final bed, spaced at 4-6 inches at a depth at 6" in rows at least 10" apart. Transplants should be set at the bottom of the hole covered up to the first leaf notch with well-composed soil, leaving the rest of the hole empty, filling it gradually to allow blanching of the stem. Planted nearby, the best companion plants are onions, celery and carrots. Avoid the negative effects of beans, peas and strawberries in close proximity.
Although the grocery store leeks are usually large, it is difficult to deny the appeal of direct from the garden freshness at the table. Techniques such as maintaining gradual hilling of the soil at the stalk level for blanching, encourages tender, flavor-enhanced vegetation. The practice of wrapping each stalk in parchment is unnecessary to achieve prize-winning stature in this vegetable. Cutting the top segment of the leaves encourages greater sized leeks ready for harvest after ten-weeks.
With a little attention to detail, maintaining the health and optimal growth is not labor intensive. Young transplants need weed-free, stone-free soil. Hilling is a technique performed during the growth cycle to create the finest crop with tender, flavorful, sturdy stalks. Plant rotation insures disease-free, pest-free gardening.
At harvest, the plants will require some attention in removing the soil from the leaves that the mounding process created. Allowing the harvested plants to soak in a water-filled pan will see most of the debris floating off of the leaves. The remainder of any accumulation can easily be rinsed free of the leaves.
After cleaning, store the produce in airtight, plastic bags in the refrigerator vegetable crisper remaining at their peak for at least a week. Growing leeks brings mild, slightly sweet, onion freshness to the table and ornament to the garden.
About the Author:
Susan Morgan authors articles on all sorts of home and vegetable gardening subjects Be sure to view one of her favorite articles on growing leeks.