Cycling Lovers ArenaFor all your cycling needs and information!

What To Know To Grow Leeks At Home

Have you ever noticed that most of the tastiest soups have leeks in them? Leeks not only taste great, but they are also packed with vitamins and help lower bad cholesterol. They also help the immune system due to their high levels of beta carotene.

The different varieties of leeks are grouped based on when they can be harvested. Depending on when you want to start harvesting your leeks, you may choose from the King Richard variety that can be harvested before winter starts, or the more sturdy ones like the Lancelot that can live through the frozen ground during winter.

Leek seeds can be germinated in trays or pots, however it is also possible to sow them directly into the soil outside. They require a plot which is sheltered, but which will receive a lot of sunshine. Leeks do not grow well in the shade. The soil should be well drained, and should have plenty of compost and manure mixed in. Ideally it will have a pH of around six to seven.

The seeds should be sown at a depth of around an inch in early spring. They can be planted in rows at a distance of about twelve inches between each row. Once the seeds germinate the seedlings can be thinned out so that there is a spacing of around four to eight inches between each plant.

From sowing to harvesting, leeks take a long time, so you must be patient as well as consistent in watering and weed maintenance. Leek plants need their soil moist, and mulching can be applied to help slow the rate of evaporation. Adding fertilizer regularly to the soil is essential because leek plants are heavy feeders.

Weeds are not the only things that will harm leek plants. Pests and diseases can affect the health of the leek plants. Leek moths, slugs and snails are pests that you need to watch out for. To combat some of these pests, consider draping a mesh cloth over your leeks plants or building a mesh frame. Fungal disease and leek rust are some of the diseases that you should protect your leek plants from. To prevent this, keep the plant spacing large to enhance air flow between the plants.

Depending on the variety you sowed, your leeks can be harvested as early as late summer, or early spring for the over-winter plants. Leeks are harvested along with their roots, so you can stagger your harvest to keep fresh leeks ready. If you decide to harvest a large quantity all at once, they can be kept fresh for up to a month in the refrigerator.

And for more in-depth information on growing leeks, be sure to visit Vegetable Gardens Made Easy.

GH SERVICES FORK LIFT CAGES

RockShox Totem 2-Step Air Fork $1,185.00 2-StepAir: SoloAir spring system (positive/negative via lower external Schrader valve) with top-knob accessible, hydraulic travel reduction (180-135mm) MissionControl oil damper with external high/low-compression, on/off floodgate switch, adjustable floodgate threshold, and external DualFlow rebound adjustability Integrated SpeedLube system: ports on bottom/rear of lower legs providing easy access...

Forklift Maintenance Platform Easy To Assemble 36x48 Forklift Maintenance Platform Reaches higher than ladders and includes added safety features: non-skid platform with 4" toe guard edge, 64"H steel screen to shield operator from forklift masts and safety chain to attach platform to forklift. 42"H handrails with locking gate and mid-rail. Rugged steel finished in durable, high visibility orange powder coating. 4" swivel casters permit easy position...

Pace Logo Traditional Cycling Cap Lightweight cotton twill. 4-Panel dome with flip-up visor. KoolFit elastic sweatband. Made in the USA....

Pace Euro Brushed Twill Cycling Cap $13.95 Pace Traditional Cycling Cap...

Pace Logo Sport Cycling Cap Lightweight cotton twill. 3-Panel dome with flip-up visor. KoolFit elastic sweatband. Made in the USA....

KMC Z410 Bicycle Chain (1-Speed, 1/2 x 1/8-Inch, 112L) $7.98 The KMC Z410 Chain is perfect for your BMX or Single Speed bike. The KMC Z410 Chain is a 1/2" x 1/8" chain and has 112 Links except the black chain which has 96 Links....

Wald 742 Training Wheels (16-26-Inch) $32.99 The Wald 742 Training wheels provide the stability required to learn to pedal and operate a bike. The pair of training wheels can be installed on any single speed bike with 16, 20, 24, or 26-inch wheels. The sturdy, 5.5-inch diameter wheels boast steel construction with rubber tires for traction. They mount to the bicycle with 3/4-inch stays. Please note: These training wheels cannot be installed...

KMC Missing Link (10-Speed Cd/6) $10.99 KMC Missing LinkNo tools neededItem SpecificationsColorSilverUnit of SaleCard of 6Width5.9mmNumber of Speeds10-Speed...