Leek Donation Tracker

Quick Links: How & Where to Grow | Temperature | How to Care For | Harvest Signs | Harvesting | Pruning | Blanching | Pests | Companions | Preservation | Recipes | Michigan Tips | Overwintering | Fun Facts

🌱 How & Where to Grow Leeks:

• Start seeds 10-12 weeks before frost – leeks need the longest start time!
• Transplant 6-8 inches tall seedlings.
• Space plants 4-6 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart.
• Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours) but tolerates partial shade.
• Soil Type: Rich, well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0.
• Soil Amendment: Heavy feeder – needs rich, composted soil

Leeks are the gentle giants of the onion family – mild, sweet, and incredibly cold hardy!

🌡️ Temperature Guidance:

Plant at 45°F soil. Very hardy to 10°F. Seeds need 60-65°F.

• Transplant: When soil reaches 45°F consistently.
• Seed starting: Needs 60-65°F for germination.
• Extremely cold hardy – survives 10°F with mulch.
• Actually improves in flavor after frost.

Leeks laugh at Michigan winters – they’re often the last vegetable standing!

💧 How to Care for:

• Consistent Moisture: Essential for tender stalks.
• Watering: 1 inch weekly – never let dry out.
• Mulch: Heavy mulch conserves moisture and blanches stems.
• Fertilizer: Feed monthly – leeks are hungry plants.
• Hilling: Gradually hill soil to increase white portion.

📏 Harvest Signs:

1-2 inches thick base. 6-8 inches white portion. Late fall-winter.

• Leeks improve with time – no rush to harvest!
• Pencil-thick leeks are tender for salads.
• 1-2 inch diameter perfect for cooking.
• Can harvest any time after reaching usable size.

The longer leeks grow, the milder and sweeter they become!

🧺 Harvesting:

Dig carefully – don’t pull. Loosen soil first. Trim roots and tops.

• Always dig from the side – leeks break if pulled.
• Use fork to loosen soil 6 inches away.
• Lift gently – the white portion is tender.
• Shake off soil but don’t wash until use.
• Harvest before ground freezes solid.

✂️ Pruning:

Trim tops when transplanting. Remove damaged outer leaves. Optional: trim for size.

• At transplanting: Trim tops to 6 inches and roots to 1 inch.
• Remove yellowing outer leaves throughout season.
• Don’t remove too many green leaves – they feed growth.
• Trim tops if they flop over in wind.
• Never cut growing center point.

🌱 Blanching:

Hill soil or use tubes as they grow. Harvest before hard freeze.

• Hill soil gradually every 2-3 weeks for longer white stems.
• Paper tubes or pipes create extra-long white portions.
• Mulch deeply also helps blanch stems.
• Don’t cover growing point or rot occurs.
• More white = milder flavor and tender texture.

🪲 Michigan Pests:

Onion maggots, thrips (less than onions), leaf miners.

• Onion maggots – can damage young plants. Row covers help.
• Thrips – less problematic than on onions.
• Leaf miners – create tunnels in leaves.
• Generally pest-free compared to other alliums!

🫱🏽‍🫲🏼 Companions:

Carrots, celery, brassicas, strawberries. Avoid beans, peas.

• Carrots – classic companion, mutual pest deterrent.
• Celery grows well alongside leeks.
• Brassicas benefit from leek’s pest repelling.
• Strawberries surprisingly good companions.
• Avoid legumes – leeks inhibit their growth.

🫙 Preservation:

Fresh 2 weeks. Freeze without blanching. Dry at 145°F.

• Fresh storage: Unwashed in plastic bags, 2 weeks.
• Freezing: Clean, chop, freeze without blanching.
• In ground: Mulch heavily, harvest all winter.
• Root cellar: Store like celery in moist sand.
• Dehydrate: Makes leek powder for seasoning.
• Preserve in oil: Sauté and freeze in oil.

🧑🏽‍🍳 Recipes:

Potato leek soup, leeks vinaigrette, leek-gruyere tart.

• Classic potato leek soup (vichyssoise).
• Braised leeks – French bistro style.
• Leek and gruyere quiche.
• Grilled leeks with romesco sauce.
• Caramelized leek pasta.

✋🏼 Michigan Tips:

• Start seeds in January for large leeks.
• Transplant size matters – bigger is better.
• Michigan’s long cool fall perfect for leeks.
• Can harvest through December with mulch.
• Hardy varieties survive most winters.
• Plant in trenches for easier blanching.

❄️ Overwintering:

• Leeks can survive Michigan winters with protection.
• Mulch heavily with 12 inches of straw after ground freezes.
• Hill soil high around plants before mulching.
• Mark rows clearly before snow cover.
• Harvest on mild days when soil thaws.
• Spring leeks will try to flower – harvest immediately.

🧠 Fun Facts:

• National symbol of Wales.
• Nero ate daily for voice.
• More nutrients in green parts.
• Welsh soldiers wore leeks in their caps for identification.
• Leeks are mentioned in the Bible (Numbers 11:5).
• Ancient Egyptians prized leeks – found in tombs.
• Contain more iron than any other onion family member.
• The world’s largest leek weighed 21 pounds!