Learning how to grow leeks in your vegetable garden is easy. Not only are they milder and more herbal than onions, but these beautiful herbs can also be cooked up into some delicious dishes!
Consider adding them for their flavor when making soups casseroles or braised foods with chicken among others – it’ll really round out the flavors of any dish you make.
Leeks can be grown in the right conditions, which means they’re great for those cool summer nights!
Leek varieties suitable to grow at any time of year are typically hardy enough to handle Zones 7 or 8.
Step by Step Plan to Grow Leeks
As you may know, leeks are a type of onion that can grow up to 10 inches. They’re best grown in containers and have white bottoms with green tops when mature which would make them easier for home gardeners who don’t want their plants towering over others!
Growing from seeds takes about 12 weeks before harvest time.
1. Fill the Pots with Soil
First, you’ll need a few tools to get your leek growing success. Fill pots with good quality compost and press the soil firmly for best results or use seed trays if that’s what works better for you!
Then scatter some seeds on top of it all before covering them up again in just enough moistened potting mix.
2. Transfer the Seedlings
After 14 to 21 days, the seeds will start to germinate. Assist each seedling with an individual pot and gently remove from its original container, and plant it into a bigger one that has been previously prepared with soil or other organic matter.
After you plant the seedlings, cover your compost.
3. Transplant into the Ground
When the leeks are about 15 to 20 cm tall, transplant them into your garden. Prepare a well-textured mix of soil and compost for optimal results!
Fork over any stones or debris in order to make room before planting; make sure to also add well- rotted manure if to encourage fertility and improve your soil.
Garden compost is also a good idea in order to add nutrients into the soil.
4. Water your Leek Plants
After planting your seeds, water each plant so the soil receives some moisture. When watering the plants direct it towards the ground and not directly on the leaves. An inch of water weekly should do for now.
If the soil is sandy just make sure you give them a little more water than usual but be careful as too much can cause root rot!
What to Avoid Planting Together With Leeks
The best plants to grow with leeks are carrots. These crops have a lot in common, from the way they’re grown and what happens when planted next to one another on your porch or patio: avoid planting any member of onion family (such as garlic) near these root veggies!
Go ahead and plant carrot and leek beside each other, their aromas can repel pests. Furthermore, since both plants are root crops they share the responsibility for breaking up soil as it grows in order to make room for these hearty veggies!
Best if grown in loose soil, as this allows them to grow big leek bulbs.
When to Harvest Leeks?
When growing leeks at home, you should know how to harvest and store them properly for later use. Most varieties of this vegetable would mature after 100-120 days from sowing the seed but some can be ready in as little 60 or sometimes even less than 50!
When the leeks are already mature, they should be around 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter. Other varieties can also grow up to an inch or 2.5 cm or more in diameter, but they’re typically harvested before they grow too large, when the white stem or “shaft” is about 3-7 inches long.
It’s best if you harvest them right around this length because once it starts expanding wider, then there won’t really be anything worth harvesting from your plant!
Leeks are a variety of onion that can be harvested around late summer to early spring, although this also depends on the climate.
If you live in areas with mild winter climates and your leek crop is overwintered for harvesting during Spring time, then they’ll stay fresh even after being dug up from their roots!
Can you Plant Leeks in the Fall?
Yes, Leeks are a cool-season crop that grow well in fall. You can start growing leek seeds before the season, and then transplant them into soil as soon as it’s time for harvest!