Leeks
Introduction
Leeks are one of the most traditional, easy to grow, and delicious vegetables to be found on allotments.
They grow in nearly all soil types – but grow biggest in rich soils – and are relatively disease free and extremely hardy. This last property is one of the main reasons to grow them. Leeks can be left on the plot to mature through winter and early spring and picked when needed.
Planting
- Sow seeds in a seed tray or seed bed 1 cm deep to germinate (outdoors)
- Transplant to final growing position in holes 6 inches deep (water in)
- Planting spacing: 15 cm between leeks, 25 cm between rows
Harvesting
- Early varieties will mature more quickly for a harvest in late summer and autumn
- Late varieties will mature in autumn for harvesting through winter and early spring.
(inside)
(outside)
(fresh)
(stored)
= jar, = freeze, 
= store
Varieties
There are two main types of leeks: early and late varieties. These are sown at different times of year and have different harvest times. Aside from the timing, both types of leeks are grown the same way.
Individual varieties can be differentiated based on their speed of growth, length of stem, and winter hardiness. Typically, early varieties are smaller but have a faster growth cycle, whilst later varieties take longer to mature and are harvested through winter and early spring. Newer varieties of leeks have been introduced, sometimes as hybrid F1 types, that combine the advantages of both.
The main choice facing a gardener is the timing of the harvest. My preference is to grow leeks for winter and spring picking, rather than for a late summer and early autumn crop. My reasoning is that in late summer there are many other vegetables available for harvest, including garlic, onions, and shallots. In winter, and especially early spring, there are far fewer crops available. Leeks come into their own during this period, as they are extremely hardy and can be left standing on the plot until needed.
The easy way for a gardener to organise their growing and discover gardening ideas.
Growing
Leeks are the largest member of the allium family that includes onions, garlic, and chives. Rather than form a bulb, their leaves grow straight upwards wrapped tightly around each other to create what looks like a stalk, but isn’t.
Leeks are easy to grow and will mature to harvest in a wide range of soil types. They do not take up a lot of space in a garden or allotment, and can be grown relatively close together and tolerate some shade. Their ideal growing conditions are rich soils that have had well rotted compost mixed in, with a soil that holds moisture but is free draining (ie no puddles). In these conditions, leeks will develop longer stems and mature faster.
Leeks need a little warmth to get going, so the best time to sow leeks is after the weather turns warmer in spring, or earlier if you have a greenhouse. They should be sown in a seed tray, or in a plastic pot, so that they can be easily cared for before they are ready to be planted out.
When the seedlings are about 15 centimetres or 6 inches tall, they are ready for planting in their final growing positions. To save weeding, I plant the seedlings though holes cut into biodegradable weed fabric. To grow longer white stems, I create cylindrical holes in the ground about 15 centimetres or 6 inches deep, by pushing the handle of a hand trowel down into the soil. One leek seedling is placed in each hole, before filling the hole with water to help bed the roots in wet soil. Every few days following planting, I add water to the holes until the plants look established (upright stems and growing).
If growing in open soil, the bed will need regularly hoeing to eliminate weed growth and to ensure the leeks get the maximum light and moisture available. Notwithstanding this, leeks are very easy to take care of. There is no need to water them during the summer months, unless it is exceptionally dry, and they have very few diseases, or bugs that eat them. If you notice any flower stems (leaves with buds on) these should be removed.
I like to leave a plant or two on the plot to produce flowers in early summer. Leeks produce large beautiful flowers that are good to look at, and loved by bees.