How to make leeks fat?

Anxious to reduce your consumption of ultra-processed industrial products in your diet, you are newly invested in the cultivation of vegetable plants for food. Rich in fiber and antioxidants, leek is a vegetable appreciated as much for its subtle and delicate flavor as for its nutritional qualities. It is therefore natural that you have allocated one of the most spacious locations on your plot of land to it. The only downside is that this garden enthusiast doesn't deign to gain weight! Don't despair, all is not lost.

Riding and pruning: two simple and beneficial steps!

Remember to prune the foliage!

This tip is very easy to do. Simply cut off some of the greenery and place it at the base of the leek. Very effective, this process has several advantages:

• The vegetable produces more sap to be able to grow and will therefore grow larger.
• The risk of leek moth appearing is reduced.
• Cut greenery will decompose and enrich the soil.

You can prune the foliage two to three times depending on the desired barrel diameter.

The essential hilling

This gesture consists of bringing earth towards the base, so as to obtain more white by depriving it of light. This technique is essential in the cultivation of this vegetable. Even if it has no impact on the size of the barrel, it is what determines its length. Please note that it also has the advantage of protecting the plant from drought. For my part, I obtain satisfactory results by making three mounds per crop. If you are a beginner, I recommend using the hiller which is designed not to damage the roots.

Don't neglect watering!

Leek is a vegetable that drinks in moderation. Everything depends on the regularity of the intake. It is not a question of drowning it when planting, only to let it dry out afterwards! The frequency will depend on the nature of your soil and of course the weather. If you notice that the foliage is wilting, then don't hesitate to take out your watering can! Please note, however, that during the winter period, water supply becomes unnecessary.

Boost your crops by fertilizing your soil!

This leafy vegetable is very fond of organic matter. It is therefore recommended to nourish your soil well to optimize In autumn, do not hesitate to enrich it with your compost. This process will provide it with the humus necessary for the formation of micro-organisms and minerals. Don't forget that these are essential for the proper development of your leeks!

Next, know that these vegetables are known to be hungry for nitrogen. To meet this need, most gardeners generally use natural fertilizers based on crushed horn. This fertilizer is particularly interesting because no chemicals are included in its composition. You can also spread a little before winter. For this, count around 50 g per m2. Distribute on damp ground, and then bury using a scratching post. Be careful, don't be too heavy handed! Too much intake can cause diseases, including rust.

Finally, to prevent the appearance of fungi such as alternaria, spray your leeks regularly with nettle manure! Here is his simple recipe: 10 liters of rainwater for 1 kg of nettle. Leave to macerate for 15 days and that’s it!

With which vegetable to accompany leeks in permaculture?

Companion planting is a technique which consists of neighboring plants in such a way as to keep diseases away. This process is widely used in organic farming, because it has the advantage of avoiding the use of pesticides. Be careful, because while some cohabitations prove beneficial, others can on the contrary harm the growth of your vegetables!

After a few unfortunate associations, I noticed that the leek particularly appreciated the presence of carrots. In fact, these keep ringworms away, while our leafy vegetable keeps flies away.
Absolutely avoid planting potatoes nearby. They slow down the growth of the leek!
To plan your crops, do not hesitate to use

Share your experiences with us!

This advice is of course not exhaustive. Each vegetable garden is unique. So, don’t hesitate to share your knowledge, or let us know your questions in the comments!