Shillingford Organics grow leeks nearly all year round. We spoke to them about leek varieties, planting, cultivation and home-growing tips.
Allium porum
“Leeks are one of our most important vegetables as they are available almost all year, able to survive the hardest of winters, and popular with our customers too.
At Shillingford Organics we grow three varieties to ensure a continuous supply from August right through until the end of April: Megaton, early; Jolant, main variety; Bandit, late. We buy our leeks as plugs from Wessex Plants, ready to plant out in mid-June. Leek planting is one of our biggest jobs so all the team get involved, taking turns on our tractor-mounted planter. The trick is to plant them deep enough to enhance the natural blanching of the stem, but not so deep that they are difficult to pull up at harvest time. We also weed mechanically two or three times a year by banking up, which further adds to the natural blanching. Leeks are also easy to grow from seed; it is best to sow in trays, and plant out when the seedlings are 20cm tall. Transplanting in this way reduces weed competition during the early stages.
Leeks enjoy fertile, well-cultivated soil. At Shillingford Organics, leeks follow brassica crops in our rotation. This ensures that there is still plenty of nutrient in the soil from the preceding 2 years of green manure. If you are growing leeks at home, make sure the bed is well composted in the winter. Our leeks are ready to harvest from the end of August. Cutting leeks is a regular job on the farm and continues right through the winter.”
To learn more about seasonal veggies, visit; www.shillingfordorganics.co.uk/