I have never grown leeks before, but this year I will. Leek is in the Alliaceae. Other plants in that family are onions and garlic. Unlike the bulb that onion and garlic produces, the lower part of the leek is a tight bundle of leaves. The lower part is usually blanched in the garden by gradually covering the lower part with soil. I’m sure you’ve seen leeks at the store with their pale grit filled lower part.
I’ve grow celery before and it is another vegetable that requires blanching. Celery needed to be planted in a trench and according to the gardening book [Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, 1978 Rodale Press] that I am reading, leeks are planted in a trench that is six inches deep.
The same book that I have.
Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening also says that leek tolerates a mildly acidic soil. I’ve not had my soil tested, but it would be a least mildly acidic, possibly a bit more than mild. We will see how well they grow in my garden. Over the season, I plan to note their progress.
The next time I write about them, it should be about how I planted them. All of the articles about Leeks will be filed with a Leek Tag
I love to cook with leeks and always wondered why there is so much sand.
I have only bought leeks once at the grocery store. For whatever stupid reason, I thought they were like cabbage. I took a big bite of one and learned an important lesson. Find out what something really is before eating it. lol
I’m looking forward to reading all about your garden this year. 🙂
Michelle that must have been a big surprise!!
I have wondered that too, Sheri and now we know.