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Leek is nutritionally superior – popular in our menu – onion protein content, fat, vitamin C., and above all calcium and iron. Eating leeks raw is especially recommended, in the form of salads.
Leeks can be harvested almost all year round, by planting suitable varieties in the garden. Leek has similar soil requirements to onion, the doses of mineral fertilizers are also used similarly, although it is good to sprinkle a little more nitrogen fertilizer on it (40-50 g of calcium ammonium nitrate on 1 m2). The only differences are this, that leek requires more than spring, but also wet autumn, moreover, it is resistant to frost and can winter in the ground.
Until recently, only seedlings were grown. Experiments conducted in recent years have shown, that under certain conditions, leeks can be sown straight into the ground like onions (0,30-0,35 g na 1 m2 nasion). The seeds are sown into the ground in late March or early April, in rows distant by 30-40 cm, in depth 1,5-2,5 cm. The yield of leeks grown from sowing is lower than from seedlings, and the plants are less uniform in size. The sowing season must be interrupted.
The condition for obtaining high yields is proper fertilization of plants. Leeks are usually grown in the second year after the manure applied in the ration 40-60 kg/10 m2. Recommended doses of mineral fertilizers applied in spring, in conversion to 1 m2, are: 12-15 dag saletry amonowej, 30-40 dag of potassium salt or potassium sulfate, 20 dag of triple superphosphate or 60 dag of single superphosphate. In addition, growing plants should be doubled, in increments 3-4 weeks, fertilize top dressing, each time 12-15 dag saletry amonowej.
When growing leeks from seedlings, seeds are sown at the inspection from February to mid-March. The optimum temperature for seed germination is 20 ° C. After sunrise, and also as the plants grow, it should be lowered to 18-1 5-13°C. To be planted with seedlings 10 m2 should be sown approx 1,5 g nasion. The seedlings do not require quilting. The seedlings are planted from April to the end of May, depending on their destination: for early harvest, autumn or winter. It is planted in rows and rows with a spacing of 30X40 cm: for the summer harvest co 7-10 cm, for the autumn harvest co 12-15 cm, and for the spring harvest, after wintering, co 15-20 cm. The seedlings are planted deep 6-8 cm. In order to get long, the bleached part of the supposed stem is sprinkled with soil several times. A similar effect is obtained, by planting the seedling in the previously made furrows, which gradually fills up. This way, however, increasing the quality of the crop, reduces its size. During the growing season, the bed with leeks should be weeded and watered as needed.
For winter use, the leeks are dug up in November, before the onset of frosts, and lowers in the inspectorate or in the field. If the harvest is scheduled for the spring of the following year, then in March we fertilize the plants with top dressing and loosen the soil around them.
The earliest varieties are recommended for summer harvesting: Colonna i Titan. Colonna is a very fertile variety, useful for drought and other preserves. The plant is slender, about a very long one, medium thick pseudo-stem. Long leaves, wide, light green. Titan is a bit later. The stalk is very long, delicate and juicy. Long leaves, stiff, light green.
It is recommended for the later and summer-autumn harvesting: Unique i Switzerland. Unique – resistant to milder frosts, very fertile, pseudo-long stem, thick and even along the entire length, with a mild flavor. Helvetia – it is distinguished by high fertility, good for preserves: semi-elevated plant, about a very long one, shiny white pseudo-stem; lanceolate leaves, dark green with a bluish bloom.
Varieties are recommended for the fall harvest: Argenta, Eskimo, Winter Giant Catalina i Karantański, Eskimo and Winter Riesen can winter under snow for harvesting in spring. Argenta tolerates milder frosts, very fertile, good for preserves; semi-decomposing plant, with a pseudo-medium long stem, thick; dark green leaves with a bluish bloom. Eskimo – tall plant, spread out at the top; pseudo-stem relatively short and thick, with a slightly pronounced thickening of the lower part, tasty. winter giants (typ Catalina) -tall plant, pseudo-stem medium long, to the group, juicy, with good taste. Karantański – the only one of the domestic selection varieties resistant to frost; pseudo-stem medium long, medium thick, white in the extended part, above green.