Growing and Planting Leek Seeds - Leek Cooking guides and Recipes
Leeks are the mildest tasting vegetable in the onion family. Rather then producing a bulb, as most onions do, leeks are grown for their long stems. They are moderately difficult to grow compared to other onions because they require a great deal of fertilizer.
Sowing and Growing
Leeks prefer very rich well drained soil and a great deal of moisture. They will tolerate both full sun and partial shade.
Leeks are started by seed. They can be directly sown into the garden in a well drained weed free location once the danger of frost has passed. They should be planted close to half an inch deep half an inch apart. Seedlings should emerge in a week is temperatures don't get too cold at night.
There are long season varieties that will have to be started indoors in seed trays before being transplanted to the garden. Seedlings are ready to be transplanted when they reach five or more inches in height;
On the last day of frost plant seedlings in the garden four to eight inches deep five inches apart
The larger the seedling the better a most of the plant will go below ground. Only a few inches should peak out at top
Leeks can be hilled like potatoes. But they should be hilled several times as they grow. Too much hilling too early will cause them to rot
Leeks have shallow root systems and need much mulching and constant weeding
Harvesting
In about four months after planting your leeks should be an inch in diameter and they are ready to be harvested
In The Kitchen
The edible part of the leek is the white onion stalk at the bottom of the plant and the light green stems. They are used raw in salads or added to soups