Leek: cultivation, conditions
Leeks are a unique member of the onion family that has a mild spicy taste and does not contain bitterness. The plant has a developed and powerful root system, is resistant to cold weather, and also has good immunity against pests. Leeks can be grown in your backyard. To do this, you need to know some of the features of its cultivation.
Conditions for growing leeks
Leek is a light-loving plant that prefers fertile soil with low acidity. Light loamy and sandy loam soils are ideal. Legumes, tomatoes, beets, peas, pumpkins and cucumbers can be selected as precursors.
Leek cultivation is most often carried out in seedlings.
In the southern regions, you can sow seeds directly into open ground. Also, this method can be used in all regions for winter planting of onions.
The plant has a long growing season – 6-7 months. Therefore, when choosing a method of planting it, it is worth considering the climate of the region. In regions with a northern or temperate climate, the culture is best planted by seedlings.
Growing leeks through seedlings
Seeds for seedlings are sown in late February – early March. It is best for her to use separate plastic cups or a cassette rack with several cells. The substrate can be bought ready-made or you can cook it yourself using peat, sand and humus.
Growing seedlings consists of several stages:
- Seeds are sown in a prepared and abundantly watered container with a substrate, 1-2 pieces in each cell or in a separate glass, and sprinkled with earth. The container must be covered with a bag or film and left in a room where the temperature is at least 20 degrees. The covering material must be raised daily for 5-10 minutes to ventilate the planting material.
- When the first shoots appear, the film or bag is removed. The seedlings must be rearranged on the windowsill, which is most exposed to sunlight.
- During the growth of seedlings, they must be trimmed to a level of 8-10 cm. You also need to cover the white part of the plant with earth. Watering should be carried out with a strong drying out of the earth. It is recommended to expose the seedlings to the open air a week before transplanting. Before planting, the leaves and root are cut by one third.
In early May, seedlings are planted in a garden bed, to a depth of 10-15 cm, the distance between rows is 40-50 cm. It is good to use humus as a fertilizer. If the soil is acidic, wood ash is added.
The plant must be watered once every 5 days, more often during dry periods, and weeded to remove weeds. Hilling is done 1-2 times, no later than a month before harvesting. The crop must be harvested before the onset of the established frost
Subject to all the rules of agricultural technology, leeks will delight with their taste and useful properties throughout the winter. The culture can be eaten raw, and can also be used to make salads, side dishes and sauces.