LEEK - ELEPHANT

      Organic Leek Elephant

            100 Seeds Pack    

Leeks are native to the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East and have been used for food and medicine for over 3,000 years. The ancient Egyptians first cultivated Leeks and ate them during great feasts. The Romans were believed to have brought Leeks to Europe and then to Britain.  Leeks are large members of the Allium family related to garlic and onions, and are botanically classified as Allium ampeloprasum, and sometimes Allium porrum. They are biennial plants (requiring two growing seasons) but are typically grown and harvested as an annual. 

Winter leek Elefant a reliable hardy variety originally from eastern European. Leek Elefant  grows straight up from the ground, the flat leaves growing up from a cylindrical, rounded bulb, overlapping each other in a concentric pattern. The tops of the leaves, referred to as ‘flags,’ are dark green with a bluish tint, and tough. They fan out at the top of the stalk, like the fronds of a palm tree. The flat Leek leaves can grow up to nearly a meter in height, the bulb sitting shallow in the dirt, around 8 centimetres (3 to 4 inches) long. The edible part of the leaf stalk averages of 30 to 35 centimetres (13 inches) in height, up to 5 centimetres in diameter, and is a light green colour. Leeks have a flavour that is milder than an onion, with a slight sweetness.

PLANTING&GROWING

Soaking needs to be done at least a few hours before planting, and preferably overnight. To prevent damping off when starting seeds indoors, it’s essential that you disinfect all of your pots, plastic grow trays, seed cells, and seedling tray covers before you reuse them.  

Leeks are very hardy vegetables, which in most regions will safely sit through frost and snow to be lifted as needed. You can prolong the harvest period by selecting a mix of varieties. Early season leeks are less hardy but will be ready for autumn, while mid and late season leeks will give you smooth stems for winter and spring.

Grow leeks in a sunny, open position in well-dug soil that’s had plenty of organic matter added to it.

Sow the leek seed thinly (about 2.5cm / 1in apart), as germination is usually very good, in drills about 0.5 cm (1/4 in) deep and cover the seeds with fine sifted soil.  If the seeds are properly stored they will be viable for about four years, so you can keep seeds for future use.  After covering the seeds, firm the soil down and water if dry.  Drills should be about 15 cm (6 in) apart in the permanent bed.

Make sure you water them during long dry spells and weed regularly. Leeks can remain in the ground through the winter until they are needed.

In crop rotation, leeks follow lettuce, cabbage or peas, but it is not a good idea to plant them immediately after lifting early potatoes. This is because the soil will be too loose and disturbed and leeks do best on a firm soil.

Don't grow leeks in the same place year after year as there will be an increased risk of pests and diseases.

Insects may cause cross pollination between different varieties of leek, or with wild leeks.