Staple Winter Vegetable (Leeks)

Member Name: ecolojo

Product:	Leeks
Date:	27/10/09 (9 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nutritious, delicious, easy to cook

Disadvantages: Can go soft in very damp weather

Organic Leeks
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Organic Leeks are a fabulous winter vegetable, reliable and nutritious when other vegetables are scare. Even better, they are easy to grow, through they must be planted early in the year for a crop the following winter.

+++ How to Grow Organic Leeks +++

Leeks in snow Sow: In a seedbed outside in March or April if the weather remains very cold.

Planting out: When the seedlings are sturdy enough to handle, about pencil thickness, plant them out in rows 30cm (12in) apart with 15cm (6in) between plants in the rows.

1. Make holes, around 15cm (6in) deep, with a dibber.
2. Drop a leek seedling into each hole.
3. Water seedlings with a rose on the watering can to establish the roots in the soil.

Soil will naturally fill the hole over time, which will result in long white stems.

Harvest: Depending on the varieties you sow, leeks can be harvested from August to April. Lift roots carefully with a garden fork.

Clean by removing outer layers, trimming dried tips of leaves and cutting the stem in half from the top of the white section of stem to the tips of the leaves. Rinse this cut under running water to remove trapped soil. Do not over trim the green parts as these are the richest in vitamin A.

If very cold weather is forecast, or if you would like a handy supply of leeks by you back door, why not try the traditional storage method known as heeling in? Dig a trench about 30cm (12in) deep. Place the leeks upright and closely packed together in the hole, and firm the soil around them. Simply pull a leek or two for supper as you pass by, even when the ground is frozen solid.

Summary: A wonderful versitile crop at at time when veg is short