Leeks
Leeks are a highly prized vegetable for their mild, delicate flavour and their many health benefits. It is rich in fibre, vitamins and essential minerals, making it an ideal ally for boosting the immune system and promoting good digestion. Leeks can be cooked in a variety of ways: in soup, pie, au gratin or simply braised. Its subtle flavour blends perfectly with many other ingredients, making it easy to incorporate into a wide range of recipes.
To grow leeks in your vegetable garden, we recommend sowing them from March onwards in cool, well-drained soil. They can also be sown in rows, spaced about 10 cm apart. Once the plants have reached a height of around 15 cm, it's time to transplant them, spacing them 10-15 cm apart. Be sure to water regularly and hoe to prevent weeds from growing and overgrowing the leek plants.
Caring for leeks is fairly simple: just water them regularly to keep the soil fresh. It is also advisable to "butter" the plants, i.e. put some earth around the stems to protect them and encourage the bulbs to develop. Finally, it is advisable to mulch around the plants to limit the need for water and maintenance.
The leek harvest period runs from September to March. You can harvest them as and when you need them, pulling up the plants with a fork to avoid damaging the bulbs. Picked leeks can be stored in a cool place for several weeks, so you can enjoy their flavour all winter long.
Leeks
- Type : Vegetables
- Botanical family : Liliaceae
Characteristics
- Lifecycle : Annual
- Exposure : Sun
- Hardiness : Frost resistant
- Cultivation difficulty : Very easy to grow, requires little maintenance (difficulty : 1/3)
- Adult height : 60 cm
Sowing & planting
- Sowing depth : 2 cm
- Plant spacing : 15 cm
- Row spacing : 30 cm
Maintenance
- Maintenance : Moderate
- Water requirements : Moderate