Growing Leeks

leeks Growing Leeks Grow these mild-flavored, mammoth, scallionlike plants from seeds planted in early spring. In hotclimates, sow seeds in summer for winter harvests. Leeks can take as long as seven months to mature from seeds, and they dislike temperature extremes these factors give them a reputation for being difficult in many areas.

Planting

In mild-winter areas, sow between August and midSeptember. Elsewhere, sow as early as possible in spring. Sow seeds directly in furrows or transplant from containers when about 4 inches tall. Transplant or thin to 3-4 inches apart. Space rows 6 to 12 inches apart. Plant in full sun near the coast or during cool weather; provide partial shade during hot weather.

As leeks grow, gradually mound loose soil around the stalks to blanch them, keeping the soil surface below the leaf joints so dirt doesn’t work into the bulb end.

Care

Onion family members have rather small root systems and need fairly frequent applications of fertilizer in order to form large bulbs. In heavy soil, grow them on raised beds for good drainage but keep the soil moist at all times to maintain steady growth. It is essential for good bulb formation to keep onions weeded, but roots are shallow and easily damaged by deep cultivation. Hand-pull weeds or just scrape the surface with a scuffle hoe.