Growing Leeks – A Home How-to Guide

The leek is a delicious and nutritious vegetable which is often found in soups alongside potato. It will also often accompany a main meal. Leeks are a great source of vitamins A and K, and will help to reduce bad cholesterol while raising good cholesterol levels. They have also been shown to contain beta carotene, which aids in the correct functioning of the immune system.

When people are looking to grow leeks there are several varieties from them to choose from. They will generally be classified according to the season in which they are harvested. Early season leeks such as the King Richard and the Columbus will be harvested before winter. Mid and late season leeks will be much hardier, and will be able to survive in the ground over winter. Some examples include Lancelot, Titan, and Laura.

Leek seeds can be germinated in trays or pots, however it is also possible to sow them directly into the soil outside. They require a plot which is sheltered, but which will receive a lot of sunshine. Leeks do not grow well in the shade. The soil should be well drained, and should have plenty of compost and manure mixed in. Ideally it will have a pH of around six to seven.

The seeds should be sown at a depth of around an inch in early spring. They can be planted in rows at a distance of about twelve inches between each row. Once the seeds germinate the seedlings can be thinned out so that there is a spacing of around four to eight inches between each plant.

Leeks have a long cultivation period, meaning that they need prolonged care and attention. They must be watered regularly, and require a fairly moist soil. Mulching will help with this. The area should be checked regularly for weeds. Leeks are heavy feeders, meaning that a general fertilizer should be added to the soil before planting, and again during the cultivation period.

Leeks are prone to several pests and diseases, most commonly slugs and snails. More specifically they may suffer from leek rust, which will present itself as orange blotches on the leaves of the plant. It is a fungal disease which can be prevented by allowing good air flow between each plant. Another pest is the leek moth, the caterpillars of which will eat through the leeks. They can be prevented by covering the crops with a fine mesh.

Leeks can be harvested from late summer onwards, depending on the type planted. The complete plant, including the root, should be carefully lifted from the soil using a hand fork. They should only be removed as needed, but they will store for up to a month in a refrigerator.

Finally, for even more information on growing leeks in your home garden, head over towww.vegetablegardensmadeeasy.com.