Exploring leek harvest

In this Small Farm Canada short video, Jeff Carter explores harvesting leeks. A crop that can be harvested well into the fall and even over-wintered. 

Leek, (Allium porrum), is a hardy biennial plant of the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) that is most often grown as an annual vegetable crop. It is native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East.  

Leeks are related to onions and have a similar flavour but instead of forming a bulb, the stem continues to thicken, forming a sheath of furled leaves. 

Summer leek cultivars are harvested in the season they were planted. Cultivars that overwinter are harvested in the spring following planting in the previous year. Summer leek types are generally smaller and overwintering types are usually stronger tasting. 

Leeks are a long-season crop. Mulching is important to reduce weeds and maintain soil moisture. For overwintering, protect the plants with a good amount of straw or leaves so they can be harvested throughout the winter.  

Leeks will flower and go to seed in spring and can form a self-perpetuating leek bed. Leeks left to flower often produce bulblets at the base of the plant. The bulblets can also be used for propagation