Leeks

Leeks are a tasty crop for the winter vegetable garden. They look like green onions, but have a milder, sweeter flavor. They're often used in soups, quiches, and other dishes and are high in vitamins A, C, and folate.

To start planting leeks, sow seeds in the fall. When the plants are the width of a pencil, start mounding soil around them, and continue to do so as they grow. This process is called blanching, and helps create the white stems everyone loves. Water and fertilize your leeks on a regular basis, and they should be ready to harvest in three to four months. After harvesting, cut them in half and wash them well before cooking.

UF/IFAS Publications

• Leek – Allium ampeloprasum L. (Porrum group)
• Onion, Leeks, and Chive Production in Florida (PDF)

Also on Gardening in a Minute

• Cool Season Vegetables
• Garlic
• Onions
• Shallots

Other Sites

• Growing Leeks--Texas AgriLife Extension
• Growing Leeks from Seed--Horticulture Magazine
• Leeks--University of Maryland Extension
• Leeks--University of Minnesota Extension
• Leeks in the Garden--Utah State University Extension (PDF)
• Onion, Leeks, Shallot, and Garlic--Clemson (SC) Cooperative Extension