Leek: growing seedlings from seeds at home

The leek is the oldest plant loved by gourmets all over the world, which ranks third in popularity among the numerous representatives of the onion family. This is a universal vegetable crop: fresh, it is added as an ingredient in soups, hot dishes and salads, as well as salted, pickled, canned, dried and frozen. Cooked with the right seasonings, leeks can be served on the table as an independent dish and used in a diet menu.

Many people know that the benefits of leeks also lies in its ability to improve the functioning of the liver, gallbladder, stimulate metabolism, increase hemoglobin and immunity. Thanks to these beneficial properties, as well as high nutritional value, novice gardeners are trying to figure out how to plant leeks correctly in order to grow this miracle crop in their own backyard.

Leek is considered an unpretentious crop: growing and caring for it will not cause trouble even for an inexperienced gardener. So growing leeks from seeds at home is absolutely easy, the main thing is to follow a few basic recommendations. You can grow this culture in a seedless and seedling way. As a rule, sowing leek directly into open ground is practiced in southern regions with a long warm period. In other areas, it is preferable to use the seedling method.

Leek Seed Processing

In order for the cultivation of leek seedlings to be as successful as possible, it is necessary to carry out some preparatory procedures. They consist in the processing of seed in a special way. To speed up germination and increase germination, leek seeds are immersed in hot (about 40 degrees) water for 25-30 minutes, after which they are dipped in cool water. Then the seeds must be placed in a damp cloth, kept in this form for 3-5 days until they hatch and dry for ease of sowing.

Sowing seeds for seedlings

To determine when to sow leeks, you should proceed from the chosen method of cultivation. With direct sowing, the seeds are planted directly in the garden after May 15th. It is better to sow leeks for seedlings in boxes in the last days of February - early March, about 55 days before the planned date of planting it in the ground. But different varieties of this crop can have different planting and ripening dates, so recommendations on when to plant leeks for seedlings are best looked at on the seed package. The latest varieties, for example, have a growing season of 200 days, so it is advisable to sow them through seedlings in the southern regions. In addition, the cultivation of leeks for seedlings is also possible in a plot under a film cover, but using this method, the seeds should be sown no earlier than the end of April.

The best crop varieties for growing

Experienced gardeners agree that the best for growing at home are Vesta, Bastion, Karantansky.

Vesta is a very productive early variety, bred by breeders specifically for growing in the Moscow region. Semi-sharp in taste, universal use, not susceptible to disease. The total weight is over 200g.

Among all mid-season varieties, Bastion is considered the earliest. The bleached part of the bulb of this variety reaches about 30-35 cm in length. The plant is used in cooking fresh, dried and preserved.

Like all late-ripening varieties, the Karantan leek cultivation is slightly inferior in yield to early-ripening ones, but it has higher frost resistance, excellent keeping quality and can be stored right up to next summer. This variety has been known for a very long time, has excellent taste, peninsular in taste. The weight of one plant reaches 200-325 g.

seedling growing conditions

Successful cultivation of leeks from seeds is impossible without certain conditions. In order for the seedlings to turn out strong and healthy, special attention must be paid to two parameters: temperature and lighting.

Before the appearance of sprouts, the temperature in the room should be no higher than 22-24 degrees Celsius. After the emergence of seedlings for the first seven days, they should be placed in a cool place with a temperature of +15 - +17 degrees, then until the seedlings are planted in the ground, it must be maintained at + 17 - + 20 degrees. A higher temperature regime can provoke the appearance of flower arrows.

Young plants will need a sufficient amount of light, therefore, immediately after sowing, the containers with future seedlings are placed in a dark place, and after the sprouts appear, they are moved to the windowsill.

Also, the conditions for growing leeks provide for a moderate watering regime and periodic pruning of leaves. This culture is very moisture-loving, so the soil must be maintained in a sufficiently moist state. But it is also impossible to overdo it with water, otherwise the roots will rot and the plant will die. To help the leek develop a stronger root system and a thick stem, the leaves should be trimmed periodically, leaving no more than 10 cm in length. At the stage of growing seedlings, it is necessary to carry out one, and ideally - two top-dressings with a solution of mullein or complex fertilizer for vegetables.

A prerequisite for obtaining strong and stable seedlings is hardening. This procedure should be started approximately one and a half to two weeks before transplanting plants into the garden. In the early days, with the help of regular ventilation, it is recommended to reduce the air temperature in the room or greenhouse, then the containers with seedlings can be put outside for a couple of hours. In the last days before planting, seedlings covered with a cloth can be left to spend the night on the street.

Leek does not like picks, therefore, in order to avoid this traumatic procedure for sprouts, it is better to sow the seeds quite rarely or sow them initially in separate containers (for example, peat tablets).

Leek in a snail

You can grow a leek in a snail, which will allow you to plant it directly into the ground, bypassing the picking stage. For this method, you will need a conventional building substrate, film, soil, seeds and stationery gum. A strip about 15 cm wide should be cut out of the substrate, on which the soil should be laid, lightly tamped. Seeds are placed on the ground with tweezers or manually, keeping a distance of 1-2 cm between them. After that, the strip, together with the soil and seeds, is rolled up into a roll, which is fixed with rubber bands. Next, the resulting "snail" must be placed in a container with water, covered with polyethylene and placed in the warmest place. After the appearance of the first sprouts, it is better to remove the film.

Planting seedlings in open ground

Before planting leek seedlings in the garden, you should make sure that the site is well prepared for this crop. Preparation should begin in the fall, fertilizing the soil with organic top dressing and digging it up. In the spring, mineral fertilizers should be re-applied and the site dug up. Especially good for the growth of leeks is fertilizer with chicken or cow droppings.

Leek pleases with good yields in lighted areas with a slightly acidic or neutral reaction. You can often hear the question: how to grow leeks in acidic soil? It should be said right away that acidic soils are absolutely not suitable for this culture, but they can be adapted by neutralizing with lime. Also, leeks will like well-moistened sandy or loamy soil.

It has been noticed that growing leeks at home is more productive if potatoes, cabbage, legumes, cucumbers, and tomatoes are its predecessors in the garden.

This crop develops poorly in the area where carrots, garlic or onions were previously grown. In addition, if onions have grown in the garden over the past few years, then leeks should not be planted there due to the fact that nematodes or rot bacteria can multiply in the soil.

You can plant leek seedlings in the garden when the sprouts have at least three leaves. Before planting, young plants should be watered abundantly and cut off leaves and roots by a third. It is also useful to soak the roots in a solution of cow dung with the addition of clay.

Seedlings are planted in long furrows to a depth of about 15 cm. The bottom of the furrows must be fluffed well and fertilized with rotted manure. The recommended distance between rows of seedlings is 35-50 cm, and between plants in one row is 10-15 cm.

Rules for the care of leeks in the open field

Usually, all care for leeks in the open field consists in carrying out several simple activities, the main of which is systematic watering. For good development, this plant will need a large amount of moisture, its lack can adversely affect the yield. Furrow irrigation is considered the most effective and convenient. In order to retain moisture in the ground as much as possible and to avoid the appearance of weeds, it is better to mulch the seedlings with straw or peat.

Also, leeks in the open field need hilling. This procedure is the basis of competent plant care and the key to the formation of a beautiful, large and pleasant-tasting false stem. During the summer, as it grows, it is necessary to spud leeks at least twice. The first - immediately after planting seedlings and its rooting, the second - in August. Before hilling, it is useful to add wood ash to the soil.

Possible pest control

The advantage of leeks compared to onions is its higher resistance to various pests and diseases. However, when growing this crop, you should still be aware of insects potentially dangerous to it. First of all, it is an onion fly, which, contrary to the name, also affects many other vegetable crops. The proximity to ordinary carrots, the smell of which the insect does not tolerate, will help protect leeks from this pest. Tobacco thrips is another possible leek pest that special pesticides are used to combat.

Also, the plant may be susceptible to powdery mildew, the main reason for which is high humidity during sudden temperature fluctuations. With minor lesions, diseased leaves should be removed and the onion can be used as directed. It is better to completely remove a completely affected plant from the garden. Fitosporin is considered an effective drug in the fight against powdery mildew, a solution of which plants are sprayed.