Leek is a delicious vegetable that you can grow yourself. We reveal how it works and give tips on what to consider after the harvest.
Who doesn't know them, these elongated bulbous plants. Leek sticks are a popular and he althy vegetable. Especially the lower, lighter parts of the leek can often be found in stews, casseroles or as a vegetable side dish. Leeks are available in every supermarket, but they taste fresher when they come from your own garden. You can grow leeks yourself without much effort, if you choose the right variety, you can even harvest them in winter.Origin of leeks
Where exactly the original home of the leek is to be found cannot be said with certainty. If you believe assumptions, leeks come from the Mediterranean and the Near East. The lily plant has long been widespread throughout Europe. This can probably be explained by the fact that leeks make hardly any demands and can actually be grown effortlessly in any home garden. Spain, the Netherlands, France, Turkey and Egypt are also among the main growing areas for leeks today.
Ingredients and He alth Benefits of Leek
The following ingredients are contained in 100 grams of fresh leek:
- 3.2 grams of carbohydrates
- 2.3 grams of fiber
- 2.2 grams of protein
- 0.3 grams of fat
Leek also contains essential oils, valuable minerals and vitamins B1, B2, C and E. The he alth value of leeks is based not least on the minerals phosphorus, calcium and potassium they contain. The vitamins it contains strengthen the immune system and ensure an intact metabolism. Allylsene oil can counteract infections and promotes healing. Furthermore, leek stimulates the appetite, improves digestion and has an expectorant effect in diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
Growing leeks - find a suitable location
Cultivation begins with choosing the right location. You should know that leeks are less compatible with other bulbous plants and do not want to be grown together with beetroot. Mixed cultures with cucumbers, carrots or lettuce, on the other hand, are possible. Choose a sunny and slightly sheltered location. Especially when cultivating winter varieties,protection against frost. Otherwise, the leek has no great location requirements and actually thrives in any garden.
Growing leeks - select substrate
The plant is more picky about the choice of soil. As a heavy feeder, leeks need a lot of nutrients. The soil should also be loose, fresh and deep.
➔ Note: Leeks have a particularly high nitrogen requirement.
First dig up the ground extensively. Remove not only weeds, roots and stones, but also larger clods of earth. If the soil is loosened, it is upgraded with compost or manure. You can also mix the substrate with nettle manure or grass clippings.
➔ Note: The soil preparation described should, if possible, be carried out at least eight weeks before the actual planting.
When can you grow leeks?
There are several possibilities here. It all depends on when you want to harvest your leeks.
Leek variety
Summer leek
Autumn leek
Winter leek
Planting time
Early to mid April
End of May to mid June
July to August
Popular leek varieties for summer and winter cultivation
When buying, you should make sure that the type of leek fits your desired harvest time. For example, the varieties Bavaria or Carentan 3 are suitable for cultivation in summer and autumn. If you want to harvest in winter, you should choose the frost-hardy varieties Blaugrüner Winter Alaska, Pluston or D`hiver de Saint-Victor.
Prefer leeks - this is how it works
Of course you can get leek seeds and then sow them directly in the bed. However, it is much better to prefer the leek. Pre-grown plants are stronger and you also save yourself the hassle of separating the young plants after sowing. Pre-grown plants are grown individually in separate plant pots and then placed directly in the bed.
This is how preponing works - step by step
- Provide seed pots
- Select substrate
- Place seeds in planters
- Cover seeds lightly with soil
- Water seeds well
- Place the planter brightly
- Wait for germination
Small plant pots a few centimeters in size are sufficient for cultivation. For example, yoghurt pots or commercially available small planters made of organic material are very suitable. Cultivation soil is suitable as a substrate. But you can tooMix conventional garden soil with sand or peat. The seeds are pressed into the soil about an inch deep and lightly covered with substrate. Place the plant pots in a bright window seat at room temperature and water the seeds regularly. The first shoots appear after about two weeks.
➔ Tip: Leeks intended for summer cultivation must be brought forward in March. Cultivation for winter leek begins around May.
Planting leeks - step by step
There are two common methods of planting leeks. The gardener differentiates between growing in planting holes and growing in ditches.
Leek cultivation in the planting hole
- Prepare bed
- Loosen substrate
- Punch holes in the ground
- Place Plants
- Water the plants generously
First prepare a bed for cultivation. To do this, loosen the soil and then level it to create a smooth surface. Now take a piece of wood and press holes about ten centimeters deep into the ground. The young plants are transplanted directly from the seed pots. The substrate can be left on the plant. Once you have placed the plants in the bed, you can water them abundantly.
Leek cultivation in the ditch
- Loosen the soil
- Digging
- Place Plants
- Ditch Watering
- Rake in the substrate regularly
First the soil is loosened up well. Then use a rake to dig trenches about ten to twenty centimeters deep. You can leave the substrate between the rows of plants. Now place the plants in the trenches. The green leaf sections should remain clearly visible. Sufficient watering is carried out after planting.
➔ Tip: If substrate is regularly raked into the furrows during the growth phase, the stems remain light-colored.
How should leeks be cared for?
The declared goal of your leek breeding will be to leave the shank mostly white. However, only the parts that are covered with soil remain white, because no photosynthesis can take place under the soil. Don't forget to pile up the leeks regularly. Keep pulling the soil towards the rows of plants so that dams are formed.
How should leeks be watered?
Leek is watered regularly and plentifully. The substrate must not dry out. The plants also do not tolerate waterlogging. Is the top layer of soil lightdried, should be watered again. In a sunny location, this may be necessary several times a day on hot summer days.
How are leeks fertilized?
Since leeks need a lot of nutrients, fertilization should not be neglected. The substrate is already enriched with compost during planting. Thus, the leek is supplied with organic fertilizer. About a month after planting, the leek needs another nutrient boost. Use liquid vegetable fertilizer for this and pay attention to a high nitrogen content. Fertilize leek plants every four weeks until harvest.
Leek - beware of diseases!
Every now and then, leeks can also be attacked by diseases and pests. You can prevent this with proper care. The cultivation of the plants also has a beneficial effect and creates strong and vigorous plants that are less susceptible to diseases.
The following pests and diseases can occur:
- Leek Moth
- Leek Leafminer
- Leekrust
Recognize and combat the leek moth
The brown moths lay their eggs between April and May and between July and September. The feeding tunnels of the predators are clearly visible. Bacteria quickly settle there. Their spread can lead to the death of the plant within a short time. You can protect your leeks from infestation with crop protection nets. Planting carrots with leeks can also deter pests.
Recognizing and combating the leek leafminer
The leek leafminer appears in the months of April and May and August to October. The flies pierce the leaves and feed on the sap they suck. The resulting damage is manageable. However, oviposition also takes place on the leaves. The larvae create feeding tunnels, which in turn form an entry point for bacteria. Affected areas begin to rot. An infestation is often only visible when the leek is cleaned. Conventional crop protection nets are no obstacle for the very small insects. Tighter meshes should be used. Fleece also provides protection against small flies.
Detecting and fighting leek rust
Leek rust can be recognized by reddish-yellow pustules that appear on the outer leaves. The disease usually spreads when the plants are exposed to excessive humidity or have been over-fertilized with nitrogen. It is perfectly sufficient to remove the affected leaves. The vegetablecan still be consumed afterwards.
➔ Tip: If you remove parts of leeks that are infected with diseases or pests, they should not be disposed of in the compost. No bulbous plants should be cultivated on the corresponding beds for at least the following three years.
Leek - when to harvest?
You can harvest leeks when the leeks are about three centimeters in diameter. First the soil is loosened. You can do this with a spade or digging fork. If the soil is sufficiently loosened, you will not find it difficult to pull the leek out of the soil.
➔ Tip: If you loosen the soil first and harvest the leek about three hours later, the nitrate content of the leek will drop.
If the vegetables are not too deep and you don't want to plant the bed again, the leeks can also be cut off close to the ground. With a bit of luck, the plant will sprout again and you can harvest more small leeks. You can do the winter harvest on frost-free days. Let the leeks thaw before you touch them to avoid damaging the leeks.
Storing and preparing leeks
If you harvested your leeks in summer, you can look forward to a tender and particularly fine vegetable. Leeks harvested in winter are more robust and last longer. High-quality leeks are characterized by a particularly long, thick shank and a high proportion of white in the closed stalk.
After harvesting, you should use up the vegetables quickly because leeks can only be stored for a limited time. Leeks will keep in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator for about five days.
➔ Tip: Do not store leeks in the immediate vicinity of apples, pears, strawberries or dairy products. These are sensitive to aroma and could take on the leek taste.
If you have cut a leek and don't want to use it immediately, the leek will keep for about two days if you wrap it in damp newspaper and place it in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator.
Before you process leeks, you should wash them thoroughly. The hard leaves above the white stalk are not suitable for further processing. Leeks are suitable for cooking and steaming. The vegetables are often blanched as well. You can use your home-grown leeks for stews or make gratins or quiches from them. A variety of dishes can be created in combination with potatoes, zucchini, fennel or celery. Leek is also very popular for wok dishesused in Asian cuisine.
➔ Tip: If you steam the leek a little longer, it tastes sweeter and is easier to digest.