How to Grow Leeks

Instructions.
Things You'll Need:

•Bypass Pruners

•Compost Makers

•Fertilizers

•Garden Spades

•Garden Trowels

•Mulch

•Plants

•Seeds

•Seeds

•Plants

Step 1Choose a site that gets full sun and has well-drained soil with a pH of 6.2 to 7.0 (see "How to Have Your Soil Tested," under Related eHows). Work in plenty of compost and manure.

Step 2Buy started leek plants at your local nursery for planting about the time of the last spring frost. Otherwise, start seeds indoors at least 10 weeks before the average frost-free date.

Step 3Harden off seedlings when they're about the thickness of a pencil, then transplant them to the garden.

Step 4Set seedlings 4 to 8 inches apart, depending on the variety (check the directions on the seed packet or plant label). To encourage long, thin stems, plant leeks closer together; for thicker stems, set them farther apart.

Step 5Use a dibble (a planting tool that looks like a fat, pointed stick with a T-shaped handle) or the end of a rake handle to make a hole that's just deep enough to leave only the top inch of the transplant exposed. Set the transplant into the hole and fill it loosely with soil.

Step 6Make sure the plants get at least an inch of water a week; otherwise the stems will toughen. Mulch to conserve moisture, and side-dress with manure tea once a month.

Step 7Begin harvesting leeks as soon as they're big enough to use. Young, tender ones are good raw; once they reach scallion-size, they're better cooked.