Leek Question

Road Apple Stew

Hi all

I have grown leeks for the first time - have eaten some (boiled the leaves to make stock and did a delicious leek & potato broth)

Anyway, I have about 7 plants left in - good and thick, growing well - thing is, I'm off to the USA for 3 weeks - can I leave them in until I return do we think?

Next door will water them if needed (although not with liquid manure)

Or should I pull them now?

They were planted 7th April

 

 

 

 

Lyn

They can stay in the ground. 

chris 172

hi depending on th etype they can stay in the ground until you need them. i have left them until march/april every year with no effect on the quality however if you are not sure and need the space simply lift wash chop and freeze as i do every year.

a tip is that if you dry the chopped leeks or left whole as baby leeks beofr freezing you simply open your zip up freezer bags and grab what you want as they are not stuck together and then close and put back int the freezer.

they keep exceptionally well and are a great veg when you need their quality taste.  i have musselboro and lyon prizetaker in the ground this year and both doing very wel

happy gardening

Steve 309

Definitely leave them in the ground.

Mine stay in till they're wanted, any time from October to March.  If it looks like a hard frost is on the way, dig up a few first, and if you need the space for something else you can dig them up and heel them in in an odd corner till they're wanted.

Welshonion

The only time you have to discard leeks is when they produce a hard inner stem some time in the Spring, prior to their going to seed.

chris 172

hi as i mentioned previously i eat the leeks when i require them however they stay in the ground until then or end of season where they are lifted and frozen. picture of my leeks at the allotment

 

happy gardening