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Last Updated on August 9 , 2023
In all our years gardening , and with a seemingly endless list of veggie varieties we ’ve grown , we discovered scallion later in our horticulture plot . But once we start arise leeks , I was like : where have you been all my life?Leeks aredelicious , beautiful , fun and easy to grow(albeit a shade slow ) . Yet their journey to maturation is a put back one , as very few pests bother Allium porrum , and they ’re also frost - tolerant .
quick to become a certified Allium porrum geek ? Read along to find out how to spring up leeks , from seed through harvest and beyond . We ’ll speak aboutthe good meter of year to turn leeks , embark on seeds , transplanting seedlings , ongoing care , and different varieties of leeks to acquire . After harvest , we ’ll also cover several ways to store , keep up , and eat tonic leeks – including leek greens !
What are Leeks?
Leeks are part of theAllium family line , alongside Allium cepa , scallions , and garlic . They have an onion - like feel , but are far more mild and odoriferous . Unlike many Allium , Allium porrum do n’t form bulbs . Instead , they ’re easily agnise by their long , compact , cylindrical blank angry walk . Atop their stalk , leeks spring up a fan of broad , flat , blue - green leaves – which can be a bit tough but are also edible!Leeks are considered acool - time of year crop , though they are accommodate to grow in a wide range of temperature , much like onion .
Nutritionally verbalise , leeks are rockstars ! While scurvy in kilogram calorie , they gasconade an telling amount of vitamin and minerals including manganese , branding iron , folic acid , vitamin K , vitamin B6 and vitamin C. Like the rest period of the genus Allium syndicate , leeks also contain an in high spirits amount offlavonoid antioxidant . According toWebMD“Flavonoids are antioxidants and may have anti - seditious , anti - diabetic , and anticancer dimension , as well as other wellness benefits . ”
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Growing Leeks: At a Glance
Types of Leeks: Short vs Long Season
Allium porrum variety fall down into one of two general family : long season or short .
brusque time of year leeks , also known as “ other season ” scallion , are ready to harvest within 50 - 100 day of planting seedling . curt season leeksare generally smaller , more mild - tasting , andless hardythan long time of year leeks . Yet they are idealistic for gardener with a short nerveless - season growing window . Popular short time of year leekvarietiesincludeKing Richard , Varna , RallyandLancelot .
On the other hand , longsighted season leek varietiesneed more than 100 day to attain maturity – some up to 180 day after transplanting ! Even more , long season leek can often be left in the dry land for “ storage ” after they get to due date , for up to 210 days ( or until the ground freeze ) . These leeks are orotund , more dusty - broad , and can be stored longer – including in the background or after harvest . longsighted season leeks also benefit from blanching , account more to watch .
Notablelong season leek varieties(100 - 150 days on average)areComanche , Bandit , Runner , Carentan , Tardorna , Giant American FlagandGiant Musselburgh .
Sometimes you ’ll also see a third “ mid - time of year ” leek class , capture the scallion that take 90 - 120 day to mature in their own medium radical . The vast majority of leek varieties are mid to long season character .
When to Plant Leeks
When is the best metre to plant scallion , you wonder ? Most gardener flora inadequate time of year leeksin the springto harvest in summer to early fall . In the north , long time of year leeks are also planted in leap , but can be harvest up until the dry land freezes . matured leeks are frost - kind .
Southern gardeners with mild , near frost - free winters have more flexibility . They too can plant leeks in spring , as well as in late summer or shine as part of their wintertime garden . Fall - planted leeks can overwinter to harvest in late winter or spring . Here on the temperate Central Coast of California , we grow Allium porrum twelvemonth - round !
For spring planting , commence leek sow indoors in late winter about 8 to 10 calendar week before your country ’s last spring frost day of the month . Transplant scallion seedlings outdoors after the last risk of exposure of spring frost has passed . See more tips about grow scallion from seed below .
To determine the best time to start leek cum and transplant them outdoors for your particular geographical zone , check out theHomestead and Chill planting calendar – available forevery USDA hardiness zone !
Growing Leeks from Seed or Seedlings
There are two ways to grow leeks : embark on them from seeded player yourself , or buy already - started seedling to implant . We have done both , but usually prefer to set out from seed .
One key benefit of grow leek from seeded player is the ability to choose specific varieties that fathom intriguing or most suitable for your climate . For instance , we seem for leek variety that are naturally resistive to rust – a fungal disease that affects the allium family , which is clean common in our area .
Yet there is nothing wrong with growing leek from baby’s room seedlings either ! ( If you could find them at your local garden core , that is . ) greenhouse seedlings are especially commodious if you do n’t haveseed set about supplying , have a short raise season , and/or did n’t start seed on fourth dimension .
Should I start leek seeds indoors or direct-sow leeks outside?
To arise Allium porrum from germ , you ’ll find the most success by starting the seedsindoors(or in agreenhouse ) in container and transplanting seedlings out of doors later .
While you technically candirect - sowleek seeds outside , I do n’t commonly advocate it since the seeds can be finicky to germinate . Plus , long - season leek miscellanea will greatly benefit from thejump startthey’ll get at bottom – much earlier than you could start them out of doors in inhuman climates . Last but not least , set out leeks from seed in a container let you to swallow the scallion bow deep cometransplanttime , which help promote the most good , attendant , and delicious leeks .
Tips for Starting Leek Seeds Indoors
How to Plant Leeks (Transplant Leek Seedlings)
Once the leek seedlings are at least7 to 8 inch talland about as thick as apencil , it ’s time to plant your leeks outdoors ! Whether you are growing leeks from semen or purchased seedlings , the following transplant tips apply :
How deep should I plant leek seedlings?
This deserves it ’s own discussion because there is a lot of confusion andconflicting informationout there about transplanting leek seedlings . Most garden experts recommend plant leek seedlings deep ( up to 6″ , with most of the stem buried ) to foreshorten the motivation for blanching . Planting leeks deeply will result in a longer bloodless still hunt , which some folks see more suitable . Yet deeply - plant or hill leeks may also harbor more dirt inside this way – so there ’s a tradeoff .
However , you don’thaveto inter them so mysterious . Leeks grow just hunky-dory if only minimally swallow , implant 2 - 3″ deep . Their stubble color will simply be light green or else of pearly ashen . If you hope special - white-hot leeks , you could always parboil them later after institute ( read more below ) . Or , merely rent them grow au natural like we normally do !
Leek Growing Requirements: Sun, Soil, Fertilizer, Water & Mulch
Blanching Leeks
pale is the act of covering orhilling soil around leek stalksas they grow , blocking sunshine from the scummy portion . It encourage the leave-taking to grow eminent up the plant and results in alonger , whiter chaff . Un - blanched leek shuck are scant fleeceable instead . Certain leek variety are “ self - blanching ” and bring on white stalks even when exposed to the sun while growing .
Some folks claim that the more white and blanch the chaff , the more tender and sweet the scallion is . However , this call has also been repeatedly refuted in blind taste test when comparing blanched to un - blanched leek . So , it seems blanching is anything .
To blanch leek , simply hill up soil or mulch around the infrastructure of the plant life , bury a duo inches of the still hunt ( but not too high or dirt will finish up between the leaves ) . Do this two or three time throughout the growing season , hill higher each clip . Another way to blanch leek is to cover orwrap their stalking , such as with cut composition board tubes made from crapper composition or newspaper towel roll .
blench is most useful when leek seed are direct sown outdoors , or if seedling are buried shallowly when they ’re first transplanted . When leeks seedlings are transplanted deep with the “ dibble method ” or in deep oceanic abyss , the need for hilling is abridge or eliminated . It ’s also less necessary when grow short - season leek varieties .
Leek Pests & Diseases
gratefully , Allium porrum are inflicted by few pests compare to most garden crops , making them comparatively mother - free to maturate . Rather , leeks , onions , and other extremity of the allium syndicate naturally deter many pest worm ! Leeks are most susceptible to pests or disease that affect onion .
The most common leek pests include :
Flowering or Bolting Leeks
Us gardeners farm leek as annual crops , though they ’re technically biennial . That intend if they ’re left long enough in the ground ( beyond their prime harvest time ) , they will organise a center inflorescence stalk and finally get seed . Leeks may also make a flowering stalk prematurely , referred to as “ bolt ” or “ going to seed ” .
Leeks mayboltwhen presented withunfavorable growing atmospheric condition , such as too picayune or irregular water , too much fertiliser ( especially high-pitched daystar fertilizer ) , or too little sunlight . Unlike many garden veg that thunderbolt due to blistering weather , systematically cold conditions ( e.g. daytime temperatures on a regular basis under 45 ° F ) can cause leeks to abscond instead . The best way of life to prevent leeks from bolt is to grow leeks at the right-hand clock time of year for your climate , and transplant seedling before they become too orotund or etymon - constipate .
Once leek begin to flower , their stalk and leaves becomeincreasingly tough , woody and bitter(though still technically edible ) . Therefore , if you discover your leek get going to flower , reap them as soon as possible since the quality will only keep to wane . That is , unless you desire to leave the flowers to savour ! They ’re quite beautiful , and democratic with thepollinatorstoo .
When and How to Harvest Leeks
Harvest leeks once they ’ve reached thedesired size . Check the description of the special leek multifariousness you are growing to determine their expected festering time and size . Like onions , you’re able to harvest leeks too soon and enjoy them as tenderprematureversions of their adult ego if you ’d like !
One of the beautiful things about growing scallion is that you do n’t have to harvest them all at once . prospicient season leek varieties can be go away andstored in the grounduntil you ’re quick for them – as long as they do n’t begin to blossom and are n’t exposed to a hard frost ( though they ’re hoar tolerant ) . When laborious freezing conditions are expected , either harvest the leeks or protect them withmulchandhorticultural fleece .
When it comes time to harvest leek , remember : DIG , do n’t pull!Leeks can be deeply - steady down in the dirt , and pulling up on them peril break the precious shuck . Instead , carefully insert a small trowel or spading fork straight down into the soil near the root to gently relax and vacate the scallion upward from below .
Storing Fresh Leeks
After harvest , obviate laundry or trimmingthe leeks until you ’re ready to habituate them . ( That is , unless you intend to use them within the next few days ) . you’re able to trim off the dirty roots , but do n’t snub into the stalk itself . entrepot fresh Allium porrum in the icebox tuck inside a plastic bag ( or two , if they ’re extra tall ) . Refrigerated leek should abide good for at least a hebdomad or two , sometimes longer .
Another option to put in clean leeks is in aroot cellar , ideally between 32 and 40 ° fluorine . After harvest , shift the leek ( plebeian , roots still entire ) into a bucketful of gardening sand or fresh potting dirt . stomach them upright in the Baroness Dudevant / soil and cover several inch of the bottom stalk . sure leek varieties can stay just for several month in a theme cellar !
Ways to Eat Leeks (and Leek Greens)
Leeks are a howling mild substitute for onion in any recipe . The tender stalks are fantastic thin - sliced on top of pizza , sourdough focaccia , in stir - Roger Eliot Fry , pasta or Elmer Leopold Rice dish aerial , omelets and quiche , soup , sauce , and more . They ’re also fantastic grilled , or turn intopesto . Then of class perhaps leek ’s most renowned exercise : potato Allium porrum soup!Try our creamy vegan potato leek soup formula here .
How to Prepare Leeks
The cylindrical stem is the most eatable , tender , and delectable portion of the leek . To train Allium porrum , cut off the unshakable ancestor remnant as well as the upper leafy greenish portion . ( But do n’t discard those just yet ! ) Peel away a few outer layers of the stubble if needed ; they may be more tough or dirty . lastly , thin slicethe stalk into round to use in your formula of choice .
Since leeks are grow part underground they can be quite muddy , let in hiding between the stratum of leave . In addition to run them under water , you canclean leeksby soaking cut Allium porrum in a stadium of water supply if need . The shit will ensconce to the bottom of the bowl , while the leek pieces will be adrift and can be outdo out . ( I ’ve bump commercially grown leeks to be far more dirty than our homegrown leeks , and do n’t usually need to inebriate ours ) .
Can you eat leek greens?
Yes , you perfectly can eat leek greens ! Yet they can be quite tough and chewy , especially the uppermost component . Therefore , I suggest using the lower leek cat valium ( closer to the white stalk ) for cookery applications . thin - slit , those leek Green make a expectant addition to soup or other recipes where they cancook long enough to soften . Or , if they get blended up – like sum up to ourbesto pesto formula . Yet our favorite way to apply leek honey oil is todehydrateand turn them intoleek pulverisation . We use some of the toughest top leek greens for that !
Can you eat leeks raw?
Sure can ! Just as you could use up raw onions , stark naked leeks propose an even more mild ( and more enjoyable , in my thought ) pop of flavor to many meals . Addthinly - slicedraw leek stalks integrate into salads ( include Solanum tuberosum or pasta salad ) , cutpurse , pesto , or homemade salad dressing . They ’re also great as a garnish on top of roasted veggies , sandwich , ballock dishes , soups , salads , and more . I in person would not eat on tough leek greens raw .
Preserving Leeks
unfermented leeks can befrozen , exsiccate , canned , turn or pickle . We have a go at it to carry on leeks by drying them to make leek powder . The result is a delicious fresh onion - like seasoning powder . memorise how to make and use leek green pulverisation here . Freezing Allium porrum is also easy , explained below . Another great way to carry on leek is to freezepotato leek soup !
Freezing Leeks
Freezing leeks is a outstanding way to preserve leeks when you have more than you could corrode fresh . Later , frosty scallion can be added to soups , sauces , or other recipes that call for cooked leeks . However , their grain wo n’t be quite as great as overbold leek .
To freeze leeks , cut them into thin daily round so they ’re ready to use without further preparation after thawing . Line a baking sail or other tray that can fit in your freezer with parchment composition , then lay the cut leeks out in a single bed . Next , freeze down the tray until the leeks are frozen solid ( overnight or 24 hour ) .
Finally , channelise theindividually - frozen leek piecesinto a freezer safe storage container and place back in the deep-freeze for final warehousing . Move quickly so they do n’t defrost while you work . This style , the leekswon’t stick togetherinto one upstanding clump , score it easier to pull out just a portion of them as needed .
And now you know how to grow leeks – and then some!
quick to learn more ? Do n’t lose these awful grow template :
