I have never grown leeks. I bought these because the grocery store leeks are old by the time I get them. They don’t sell well here. Leeks are a relative of onions, shallots, garlic, and chives. They are not grown a lot in my area of Texas, but I am going to try.
Leeks are native to Western Asia and the Mediterranean. They have been found in societies in areas where they grow wild since 4000 BCE and have been cultivated since 2000 BCE. Leeks came to North America with European settlers. Most cultivars take 120-150 days to mature.
Description of Leeks
Leeks look like stocky spring onions. They have thick, wide green leaves over a shaft of white. They can grow two to three feet tall and two inches wide.
Planting Leeks
You can grow leeks from seed or buy starts at a nursery. Leeks like soil that is rich in organic matter and has a pH between six and seven. It is always best to get a soil sample before growing a vegetable in a new location so you know if you need to amend the soil.
From Seed
Leeks are planted in the fall. We plant them in October from seed along with onions and garlic cloves. They grow in the fall, go dormant in the winter, and have a head start in the spring. Thin so the leeks are four to six inches apart.
From Starts
Leeks can be planted from starts like onions. Leeks are very frost tolerant and can be planted as soon as you can work the soil. Dig a furrow about five inches deep. Place the starts in the furrow, four to six inches apart. Fill in the furrow so an inch or so of the leaves are above ground.
Caring for Leeks
Leeks have shallow root systems. They also require blanching, so are more trouble than onions.
Water
Because leeks have shallow roots, they need a lot of water. Water an inch a week. If it is hot or you have sandy soil, water twice a week. The soil should be moist, not wet. Too much water leads to rot.
Fertilizer
Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer when planting and about every four weeks until harvest. Side dress the fertilizer and water it in so the leeks can use it.
Blanching
In order to make the long white shaft of the leek, you need to blanch it. Burying it so only about an inch or two shows when planting does that. As the leeks grow, continue to hill up the dirt around them so they have about three inches of leaves showing. Do this several times as they grow.
Mulching
Mulch around leek starts in the fall once they come up and in the spring. You can use mulch instead of dirt to blanch the leek. Keep a three-inch layer of mulch around the leeks but do not let it touch the plant.
Harvesting Leeks
Harvest leeks when they are about one inch in diameter. They should have a straight shaft of about three inches with no bulb at the bottoms. The leaves should be dark green. Leeks are frost tolerant so if they are planted for fall, they can tolerate frosts and be harvested as you need them. If the leaks are left in the ground too long, they become touch and may flower, ruining the flavor. Leeks keep in the refrigerator about like spring onions.
Diseases and Pests
Leeks suffer from the same pests as onions do.
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