With cultivar epithet like ‘ Welsh Wonder ’ , ‘ Colossal ’ and ‘ Unique ’ , leek are staking their claim as big , robust and striking veggie . The chip that ’s eat is the whitened part of the lower stem ( above the base and below the rugged unripened leaf tops ) . While unbending and usually called a stem or stubble , it is n’t a true base but is made up of folio bases tightly overlap .
Although part of the onion plant family , leek do n’t work bulbs . Like onions , leek are cool - time of year crop which produce good in the temperature range of 13 ° C–24 ° C .
Leeks are a must - have ingredient to make thaw bowls of scallion and potato soup and are an alternative to onions .
In nerveless and temperate field , ejaculate is seed from late summer to early fall .
seedling are planted through autumn and winter . In tropical zone , leeks are a teetotal - season harvest , sown in April .
Transplant seedlings into the vegetable garden when they are large enough to handle ( around 12 curium high ) .
seedling can be implant during autumn and early wintertime .
LEEKS ARE A MUST - HAVE element TO MAKE heating BOWLS OF LEEK AND POTATO SOUP AND ARE A utilitarian choice TO onion .
Leek Facts
usual name : LeekBotanical name : Allium ampeloprasumPorrum Group ( syn . A. pourrum)Family : AlliaceaeAspect and soil : Full sun ; regular moistureClimate : AllHabit : yearly bulbPropagation : Seed , seedlingDifficulty : Easy
HOW TO GROW
To develop the tender clean “ stalk ” , seedling are planted into deep or private holes around 15–20 atomic number 96 deep .
Just cover the etymon so the plants are stable . As the seedling grow , world up soil around the prow . This blanches the stem so it ’s snowy or light greenish in color and ship’s boat . Watering will also dampen territory in around the stem .
leek mature well in full sun with well - drained soil . With less light they ’ll bespindly and may be prone to pest such as aphids . Well grownup , they have few blighter or disease problem but protect from snails and slugs with constitutional or homemade snail bait .
water supply regularly ( more frequently in spicy weather ) and liquid - provender every two weeks to further fast increase and plump leeks .
Water - stressed leeks can gobble to flower . scallion are generally fuss - free but may be attacked by onion thrip , which cause white flecking on the leaves .
Diseases are kept in substantiation by take away weeds and maintaining good spacing between flora .
HARVEST AND STORAGE
Where you have leeks in the garden , simply harvest the stems as need .
flora are ready to harvest when they are 2–2.5 cm dense or around 12 workweek from transplanting seedlings .
After harvest , wash thoroughly then chop off the root and tough leaf tops .
Next , wash off the stalks clean of soil and they ’re ready to chop . laundry cautiously is important as leek can be gamey if soil has worked its way between the leafage sheaths . To hit any scandal , remove the elusive out leave of absence and make vertical cuts in the stem , then wash well .
Leeks are usually sliced finely and sautéed before being sum to soup , sweat or pies . This slow cooking softens them and help originate the sweet flavor . The tougher leaf tops can be added to stocks for an oniony flavor . Leeks are plentiful in vitamins A and C.
