Page 18 - ALG Issue 1 2025

VEGETABLES
These mildly flavoured members of the allium family, the same as onions, garlic and chives, are an attractive and popular crop to grow. Baby leeks are tasty and tender, ideal for brazing, grilling or roasting, while mature leeks are hearty and bountiful – thinly slice, then sauté or steam, and use
in casseroles, soups (leek and potato is a classic), stir-fries and many other dishes.
There are many leek varieties available, varying in ultimate size, disease-resistance, hardiness and sowing/harvesting time. Some are even hardy enough to stand up to the harshest weather without protection. Early varieties can be lifted from late summer
to autumn, mid-season varieties in winter, and late varieties into the following spring. For consistent crops of tasty, high-quality leeks, it’s best to choose varieties with an RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), which shows they performed well in trials. Early cropping include: King Richard, Pancho, Carlton and others. Mid-season include Musselborough, Oarsman and Porbella.
Leeks usually reach maturity after four
or five months, in autumn and winter, when other fresh crops may be in short supply, and they don’t have to be harvested straightaway.You can leave leeks standing through the colder months and lift plants whenever you want them.
GROWING
LEEKS
18 | Issue 1 2025 | Allotment and Leisure Gardener