| Leeks | |
| Allium ampeloprasum, Porrum Group |
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About Leeks 
These relatives of onions look like large scallions but have a much milder, sweet and creamy flavor. They do not form bulbs the way onions do but instead develop thick cylindrical stalks. These stalks grow from about nine to eighteen inches in height.
Although not as popular in the US as in Europe these plants deserve your attention in the kitchen as they have a subtleness unmatched by any other member of the onion family.
Leeks are easy to grow, hardy and mostly pest-free.
Planning
Leeks need deep, rich soil with plenty of nitrogen. Leeks can be grown from seed or transplants. Transplants take about 80 days to maturity and growing from seed will require you have 140 days of patience. If you live in the north where it is colder they should be started indoors.
Preparation
Because leeks have a high nitrogen requirement you will want to work in manure or rich compost before planting time and side-dress your leek plants just as you would for onions - about 50 days after planting. Aside from soil condition leeks manage well in most climates. When growing from seed, sow indoors in late winter and move your transplants to the garden in early spring. Set your plants 3 inches apart.
Because leeks take so long to mature most people do not sow seeds directly in the garden but rather go with transplanting.
If, however, your growing season is substantial enough to allow for growing from seed then sow them 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, 1/2 inch apart in rows or beds. Thin seedlings to stand 6 inches apart, using the thinnings as delicate scallions. You can start the thinning process when leeks are about 2 inches tall.
Care
Whether you sow your seeds directly or grow from transplants, you will have to hill soil around the leek stem two or three times during the season to achieve the blanched, edible part of the plant.
The most common method of managing this is by planting you leeks in tranches 12 inches deep and covering your transplants with three inches of compost. As the leeks grow add soil to cover the base of the stems.
Pests / Disease
Leeks are relatively pest-free and hardy plants. If you have discovered a pest in your leeks we'd love to hear about in the forum for plant pests in the Share section of Garden-Helper.com.
Harvesting
Leeks can be harvested and used at any size. Smaller thinnings make excellent additions to salads. Pencil-thin leeks are often steamed and served much like asparagus and in fact leeks have often been called "poor man's asparagus". Leeks need to be washed thuroughly, since sandy grit burrows deep inside them. Trim the ends, slice them lengthwise and hold them under running water until clean.
When you harvest your leeks, don't use too much force. You can ease the plants out best with a twisting motion. While they are still in the ground some gardeners cut around each plant with a trowel to trim the underground roots making it easier to pull them up.
Leek Varieties
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