Why Grow Your Own Leeks?
We all know leeks for their white flesh and leafy green tops, which stand tall and don’t form a bulb like an onion. However, they saste similar to onions, but much milder and more sweet. When raw, you can enjoy the crunch, but when boiled, they can become more soft and provide subtle flavours to any soup or dish.
Leeks are a hardy plant that can thrive in cold and unpredictable weather conditions. Dobies have a vast variety of leek seeds for you to grow on the plot, including classic salad additions like Spring Onion ‘Atal’, to the stunning foliage of ‘Northern lights’. Not forgetting the extremely winter hardy Musselburgh leeks. Leaks are also great edible plants for producing food once the summer crops have become spent.
If you prefer to grow your own veg, then Leeks are a good option if you enjoy the rewarding process of plot to plate. Nothing tastes better than making your own homemade dishes extra special with homegrown ingredients picked straight from the veg patch.
When Do I Sow Leek Seeds?
- Leeks can be grown for at least 7 months over the year, October to April.
- For exhibition, sow your leek seeds under glass between January and February, and for general purpose sow outdoors between March and April.
- Use a good, decent peat free seed compost.
How To Grow Leeks From Seed
There are a few different ways you can sow leeks from seed, so why not read our handy tips below to find the best way for you to grow your own leeks. If you plan to sow indoors, try a seedbed, or if space is limited, sow them in pots.
- Grow the young leeks on, making sure they get even watering and once they have become small plants they can be transplanted to their final position in late April May.
- Once your leek plants are big enough to handle they need to be transplanted into holes that are 15cm deep and 23cm apart.
- Trim roots and leaves prior to planting out to stimulate new growth.
- Put down a garden line on your plot to mark out the space you are going to grow the leeks in. Use a large dibber to make a hole 15cm deep.
- Drop the leek in and gently water, encouraging the soil to form around the stem and roots without soil getting into leaf folds. This loose planting hole will encourage the stems to thicken and the juicy Leeks to form.
- Leeks will enjoy a Nitrogen feed, so a moderate sprinkle of organic fertilisers such as chicken pellets will benefit.
- To make sure leeks form and grow, water during dry periods.
- Your Leeks will grow best if you provide them with free-draining soil in a sunny position. In late summer, earth up with surrounding soil to encourage the delicious white stems. Protect with extra fine Netting where potential pests like Leaf minor are a problem.
Buy Leek Seeds UK from Dobies!
