Leeks
Photo: Jean-noël Lafargue
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.