Raising Leeks

Growth Habits

• Leeks require about 170 days of growing to maturity and harvest. They need 9 to 10 inches of space between plants and 12 inches between rows. Stalks grow up to 10 inches tall and 2 inches in diameter at maturity. The stalks are topped with flat green leaves atop white flesh at the lower half of the stalks.

Planting

• Grow leeks in light shade or filtered sunlight, using a thin shade over rows in very hot mid-summer weather. Plant leek seeds in rich soil in shallow furrows in early spring when the soil has warmed up, or plant seedlings in the garden 4 to 6 weeks before the average last frost date. Thin seedlings to 5 to 10 inches apart. As plants get bigger in mid-summer, cut the top half of the leaves off to encourage full stalks.

Water and Fertilizer

• Consistent water is key to healthy, tasty leeks. Water twice weekly consistently, and fertilize with manure or compost tea weekly during the growing season. Consistent water results in firm, moist flesh without any mealy texture. Dig furrows on either side of rows to water without washing soil off the lower half of stalks. Don't use chemical fertilizers on leeks. Frequent applications of weak manure or compost tea result in stronger growth.

Growing Requirements

• To grow the largest, tastiest leeks, pull soil or loose mulch up around the stalks to blanch them and protect them from the sun and from drying out. Only cover the white parts of stalks with soil, up to the beginning of leaves. Don't pull soil or mulch up above the leaves to keep sand and soil out of the plant sections.