Growing leeks is one of the most rewarding ways to add freshness and subtlety to flavor in the kitchen. A member of the Allium family of hardy vegetables, these do well during the cool seasons and hence are great for fall and spring gardens. Their toughness, besides the long growth season, allows successive harvests from this crop-a fresh supply when most other crops are done. Upright in growth, with bright-green foliage, leeks marry ornamentation and utility in one plant. By developing appropriate nutrient-rich soil and attending to a few key care methods, a verdant harvest of leeks can be reaped for inclusion in soups, stews, and a host of other dishes. The following lines will discuss ways to grow, tend, and garner leek produce with certainty of a rewarding crop season after season.

Choosing Varieties

Variety choice will play an important part in how to grow, and perhaps extend the harvest of, leeks continuously into the cooler months. Following is a brief description of popular varieties:

• Early-Season Leeks: These include varieties such as ‘King Richard’ and ‘Lincoln’, which are quicker to mature and, as such, suited for regions with shorter growing seasons. Early leeks are usually put into the ground during spring and harvested by late summer. This will ensure that the yield is fast, though the flavor usually experienced will be milder. Their growth period is shorter, thus very suitable for gardeners looking for a fast crop rotation.

• Mid-season Leeks: Varieties like ‘Lancelot’ fill the gap between early and late leeks, giving a harvest into late summer into fall. Mid-season leeks offer a great tradeoff between robust flavor with medium time of growth to allow a steady harvest before the cold weather sets in.

• Late-season leeks: Refer to hardy varieties set out early but harvested late into the fall or into winter. The varieties develop in a more rounded flavor with increased frost tolerance, enabling them to overwinter in areas that have mild winters. They are also good to grow in case anyone wants fresh vegetables during winter.

The variety you choose, of course, depends upon not only climate but on what you aim for in a harvest. If you are one of those gardeners that want to achieve continuous yield, plant different varieties with different maturity rates.

Preparing the Soil for Planting

Leeks love well-drained soil high in organic matter and an acidic to neutral pH about 6.0 to 7.0. Early preparation for planting is a very good starting point in preparing the soil. The bed should be prepared with copious compost or well-rotted manure, which, besides infusing the soil with the necessary nutrients, would improve its structure to accommodate the long, straight stems of leeks. Prepare the bed to a depth of 12 inches deep to accommodate the fleshy, poorly anchored roots of this plant. If your soil tests low in nitrogen, mix in a balanced fertilizer; leeks are heavy feeders. For clay soil in particular, add some sand for drainage since the leeks are sensitive to water-clogged soil.

Planting of Leeks from Seeds or Sets

The virtue of planting leeks from seeds is that there is more variety selection, taking a little more time. Optimum growth is achieved by starting seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last expected frost date. Place them about ¼ inch deep into seed trays, setting them in a warm, sunny location and keeping them moist with light. When 2-3 inches in height, the seedling leeks may be set into individual pots or hardened off for outdoor planting.

If using transplants, set them in the garden after the last frost date. Set the plants in holes or trenches, spacing each leek 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart to provide good air circulation that helps to prevent fungal diseases and promotes good growth.

Trench Method

Producing the classic long, white stems, leeks require a process called blanching whereby the base of the plant is steadily covered with soil. One fairly easy yet effective method for doing this is by the trench method. First, dig a trench  and place the young leek plants in the trench. As the plants grow, fill the trench in gradually with soil covering the lower stems. Shading the stems in this manner prevents the production of chlorophyll, thereby rendering the stem tender and bleached-white in color, which is regarded as a delicacy.

Caring for Leeks

Care of leeks is a common practice throughout the growing season and is quite crucial for a proper yield. The crucial features that comprise the care of leeks are:

• Watering: Place leeks in beds that have uniform moisture, but leeks do not really like sitting in waterlogged soils. Water deeply once or twice a week depending on rainfall. Soil should be moist but not waterlogged.

• Fertilizing: With the leeks being such heavy nitrogen feeders, they appreciate feeding quite often. Every 3-4 weeks, aside from nitrogen, use fish emulsion or compost tea for vigorous green growth.

• Mulching: Organic mulch around the base of the plant retains soil moisture, suppresses growth of weeds, and controls soil temperature; plants will be kept in a regular growing phase.

Leek Container Growing

The best options when there is a shortage of space within a garden or if it is in an urban setup are container leek growing. Use a container that is at least 12 inches deep with good drainage and fill it with premium quality potting mix well-endowed with organic matter. Plant leeks 6 inches apart and care for the plants as one would with in-ground plants.  Watering should be done more frequently, as the land is bound to get dried up faster in container conditions; the soil moisture in such cases is to be regularly checked, especially during hot spells.

Pest and Disease Control

Though hardy, yet there are a few pests and diseases affecting the plant. Major points concerning pest care in leeks are:

• Onion Flies: Onion flies are able to lay eggs near the base of the leek plant. Fine netting or row covers can help prevent an infestation of these pests.

• Thrips: Thrips are tiny insects that might cause damage, showing itself by leaf silvering or browning. A good natural repellent against them is to plant the leeks next to carrots.

• Fungus Problems: These plants sometimes develop fungal diseases. This often happens when an area has higher levels of humidity. Change the crops every year and do not crowd the plants, allowing for good air circulation.

• Slugs and Snails: These may be very harmful to the tender seedlings of the leek. Organic slug pellets or copper tape around containers is very effective in keeping the container gardens slug-free.

Having a clean garden space and rotation of crops may also help in reducing the chance of obtaining pests and diseases.

Harvesting and Storage of Leeks

When leeks reach 1 to 2 inches in diameter-approximately 90 to 120 days from planting-they are ready for harvest. Set a garden fork into the ground beside each plant and, carefully working it without breaking off the roots, pull out the plant. This will prevent snapping and bruising, allowing the leeks to remain fresh and look good.

After picking, remove the roots and tops from leeks and store in the refrigerator for as long as two weeks. For longer storage, blanch and freeze leeks, which will preserve flavor for as long as 3 months. Frozen leeks are wonderful in soups and stews, offering a very easy method of enjoying homegrown produce well into the cooler months.