Leeks are an addition to cooking that we all know and love – but did you know it’s also super easy to grow leeks in your own backyard? Learn how to grow leeks with our tips below.
Leeks are alliums, which means they’re related to garlic, chives, shallots, and onions. They provide a sweet-oniony taste which livens up any meal. Unlike other onions, leeks do not form a round bulb shape, instead they sprout leaves.
When to Plant Leeks
The best time to plant leeks is late spring or early summer. Leeks are fast growing and will provide you with a harvest in about 5 months.
Where to Plant Leeks
Leeks are hardy and do not mind the cold too much, however it is best to plant them in rich, well draining soil in full sun. You can plant leeks in pots, containers, or straight into your garden bed.
How to Plant Leeks
Plant seedlings approximately 20cm apart to give them ample room to grow, they are best planted in rows and if you are going to use this method, make sure your rows are spaced 5cm away from each other at least.
Harvesting Leeks
It will take around 5 months for your leeks to be ready for harvesting. A good trick to determining whether they are ready is to check if the part of the leek that grows out of the soil looks thick, if it does, pull one up and if the base of this stalk is approximately 1 to 2 centimetres round, then they are ready to be harvested.
To harvest, gently pull the stalks side to side to loosen them and slowly pull them out of the ground. Once you have harvested your leeks, these can be stored in your fridge for a further two weeks from the time of harvest.
Leek and Potato Soup
VIEW THE RECIPE HERE
