Leeks are a versatile product. Due to its ability to quickly adapt to different climatic conditions, it is widespread throughout the world. It is consumed fresh, used in cooking, it is fried, boiled, steamed, dried, pickled, and this only makes it tastier. Leeks are used as a separate product, as a seasoning and as an addition to the preparation of vegetables for the winter. In this article, you will learn that leeks on the site are not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. A little care of it, and in the fall you will have a storehouse of vitamins on your table.

Biological features

Consider leeks, general characteristics varieties are presented below. This is a biennial plant that does not form the bulbs we are used to. In the first year, a false stem is tied to the leek. It has a cylindrical shape and wide leaves, which are arranged in a fan-like manner around the stem. The most productive part of the plant is the false stem mentioned above. Its thickness can exceed 7 cm, and the bow reaches a height of 30 cm.

In the second year, the plant develops a victorious shoot, at the end of which a spherical inflorescence is formed. At the end, you can collect seeds from it, thanks to which leeks are planted for seedlings.

It is necessary to observe a strict temperature regime of 2 ° C, in which leeks will sprout. Growing seedlings is a painstaking process. Young shoots do not tolerate frost, but when the plant takes root, slight frosts are no longer dangerous for it.

There are two ways to grow leeks: planting seedlings or direct seeding into the soil. Below we will tell you more about both methods.

The best place to plant onion seedlings

In order for leeks to give a bountiful harvest, it must be grown in seedlings on well-cultivated fertile soils. A slightly acidic and neutral soil is excellent for this type of plant. Leeks are very moisture-loving, so they can be grown in moist loamy soils. In heavy clay soils, the plant develops poorly and sometimes dies. Urea, compost, superphosphate or

Leek. Growing seedlings from seeds

To quickly germinate seeds and get strong seedlings, you must resort to following procedure... You need to place the seeds in hot water for 20 minutes, then in cold water. After the hardening procedure and for acceleration, they are soaked for three days in warm water. After the seeds have hatched, they are dried on gauze, and then leeks are planted on seedlings.

We sow the seeds

In order to grow healthy leeks, the procedure must be carried out on time. To do this, the gardener will need boxes for growing seedlings, which should fit on the window. February is the best time to grow leeks from seeds fertile. Caring for the plant during this period requires minimal effort. Timely watering and regular spraying will do the trick. If you plan to grow seedlings in a greenhouse, sowing is carried out in mid-April. And already at the end of this month - the seeds can be planted in the beds. Remember to cover them with plastic wrap.

The boxes are filled with prepared soil, but not to the very top. Then the seeds are planted in a row with an interval of about 5 cm. The depth of such a groove is not more than 15 mm. After that, the boxes are covered with foil and placed in a warm and dry place. Inside the resulting greenhouse, the air temperature should be about 25 ° C. When the first shoots appear, remove the film and maintain the temperature regime all week - 12 ° C at night, and 17 ° C during the day. After a week of exposure, we observe 20 ° C during the day, and 14 ° C at night. And so throughout the entire stage of growing seedlings.

We take care of seedlings

After the first shoots have appeared from the seeds, careful care of the seedlings begins, on which the final result will depend.

Leek is a cultivated plant that loves water very much. Therefore, the soil should always be slightly damp. Do not overdo it with watering, otherwise the roots may rot. Make sure that the soil does not dry out, but it does not need to be over-wetted either.

Watering is carried out with warm water with low pressure. The whole procedure is done carefully so as not to damage the stems of the shoots. If you want a healthy and rich harvest, you don't need to limit yourself to watering. In this case, top dressing plays an important role. It is done once or twice.

In order to become more powerful and the stem thicker, the leaves are trimmed. After this procedure, the length of the leaves should not exceed 10 cm.

Leek seedlings are planted after the plant is seasoned. Within six weeks, it is taken outside and the watering is gradually reduced. And then the seedlings are planted in open ground.

Planting leek seedlings correctly

When the seedlings have matured, it is time to plant them in open ground. Most often, this procedure is carried out in late April or early May. The site must be prepared in advance. Seedlings are planted in rows in previously prepared grooves. Planting depth is slightly deeper than in the boxes. The roots and leaves of the onion are pruned a little.

Rows are made at a distance of 50 cm from each other, and onion seedlings are planted, observing an interval of 10 cm. This ensures good growth for the plant and makes the hilling procedure more convenient.

Growing leeks

Planting leek seedlings is just the beginning. The most difficult thing is caring for a mature plant. Successful onion cultivation is based on two factors: grooming and feeding. Timely loosening of the soil and weeding is very important for a young plant. Watering and leeking is carried out as needed. Most often, these procedures are performed during the growing season. For leeks, bird droppings are an excellent fertilizer; they are diluted with water in a ratio of 1:20.

After the young plant is well rooted, fertile soil is poured onto the garden bed. After a couple of months, the first hilling is carried out, then, as necessary, the procedure is repeated until harvesting. It is very good for a plant to add wood ash to the soil before hilling. Leeks do not tolerate weeds around them, so they need regular weeding.

To protect the harvest

Like any plant, leeks are susceptible to attack by pests and various diseases... But its main advantage is that, in comparison with onions, it is still more persistent and is not so often attacked by pests or some kind of disease. Adhering to the above recommendations ( correct fit leeks for seedlings and adherence to cultivation techniques), as well as giving the plant due attention, it is not so difficult to grow it healthy.

However, there are still insects that are dangerous for this culture. For example, an onion fly. Despite its name, this pest damages many plants. But still there is a plant that this insect does not tolerate - carrots. By planting these two crops side by side, the onion fly problem will be solved. Another pest is tobacco thrips. To combat it, use special chemicals... But nature managed to take care and create a natural enemy for the tobacco thrips - a predatory mite.

One of the most famous ailments of leeks is powdery mildew. To get rid of it, use effective remedy called Bordeaux liquid. And if on shoots and leaves appeared white rot, it's time to use lime soil.

We harvest and store it correctly

Depending on the onion variety, harvesting begins with the onset of the first frost, when 3-4 true leaves have already formed on the plant. The plant is carefully dug in and pulled out of the ground, holding by the shoots. The roots are removed with pruning shears, leaving no more than 2 cm of the root lobe, and the leaves are cut off 2/3 of the length. Leeks have excellent long-term storage properties. At the same time, the content of vitamin C in the stem does not decrease. It can be stored in the basement all winter, for this it is enough to maintain 80% humidity at a temperature of 1-3 ° C, and dig the stems in an upright position in slightly damp sand. If the sand is excessively wet, the air regime will be violated, which means that the plant may begin to rot.

In addition, leeks can be stored in unconventional ways. It is frozen, salted, pickled, dried, etc. Dried onions make an excellent addition to other seasonings. You can also pack onions in bags of 5-7 pieces and store in the refrigerator for about 5 months.

Useful properties of leeks

Leeks contain a lot of vitamins, as well as a lot of protein. High content of ascorbic acid, potassium, carotene, etc. allows you to use this product to improve metabolism, increase appetite, increase immunity and to treat a whole list of diseases. For example, in the treatment of rheumatism, kidney stones, obesity, salt deposits, gout, atherosclerosis.

Leek contains many useful substances. Growing, tending, planting on windows and germinating seeds are well worth the effort.

Summing up, we can say that leeks are worthy at least once to be in the garden of your garden.

Good afternoon, dear readers!

Leeks have been known since ancient Rome. Today this culture does not lose its popularity and is especially loved in Western Europe... His homeland is Southwest Asia. Later it was brought to the Mediterranean region and from there it was distributed to different countries.

Growing leek seedlings has recently gained considerable popularity among summer residents. Many people liked this vegetable for its taste (delicate smell, piquant sweet taste) and the ability to easily adapt to different climatic conditions, to give a rich harvest. In cooking, leeks are used both raw and canned, pickled, salted and dried.

The leek (pearl onion) is a biennial herb from the Onion (lily) family.

In popularity, leek is inferior to onions. During the 1st year of life, it forms long, flat leaves and a strong root system. The length of the white bulb reaches 12 centimeters, and the diameter is 2 - 8 centimeters.

A year later, a flower arrow forms about 1.5 meters high. The inflorescence is a spherical umbrella, its diameter is 15 centimeters, the flowers are white or light purple, the aroma is pleasant.

A false stem (thickened base of leaves), young leaves are intended for food. Many lovers of this onion consume only the stem, and the leaves are rare. The length of the false stem is from 10 to 60 centimeters, the thickness is 3-7 centimeters, the length of the leaves is from 40 to 60 centimeters, the width is 3-6 centimeters.

Leek stalks are eaten fresh and in many dishes after heat treatment.
The taste is distinguished by a slight spicy note, there is no onion bitterness.

Today you can find 2 types of leeks, these are summer (tall, thin, juicy) and winter (short, thick, less juicy).

• The summer look has a delicate flavor and is suitable for fresh consumption.
• Winter leeks are rough in texture and are most commonly used in hot meals.

Leek is winter-hardy and with additional shelter for the winter easily tolerates the cold.

This type of leek contains 2 percent protein, 12 percent carbohydrates, as well as iron, magnesium, potassium salts, phosphorus, calcium and sulfur.

In addition, it contains many vitamins and essential oils: ascorbic acid, thiamine, biotin, riboflavin, carotene, pyridoxine.

When stored in leeks, the vitamin C content increases, reaching 75–85 milligrams per 100 grams.

Leeks have many useful properties, which have been known for a long time. It helps with scurvy, rheumatism, urolithiasis, obesity, gout, physical and mental exhaustion. Leek improves appetite, accelerates the production of digestive enzymes, normalizes liver function, acts as a diuretic, and has anti-sclerotic properties.

Leek should not be consumed when inflammatory processes(diseases) in the gastrointestinal tract!

Popular varieties with photos, descriptions

Leeks differ in maturity and varieties.

Early varieties

Early ripening onions are distinguished by higher yields, in contrast to mid- and late-ripening ones.
The ripening period varies between 130-150 days, depending on the variety, conditions.

tall, leaves 80 centimeters long. Plant weight at proper care reaches 400 grams. The variety has high taste. The bleached part does not need hilling.

is of medium height. The bleached part is 30 centimeters. Leaves are gray-green or green in color, rather wide. The bulb is weak, the weight of the plant is 200 grams. The purpose of the leek is universal, it is used fresh and dried. When leaving, it requires special care, as it is susceptible to certain diseases.

Mid-season varieties

Mid-season varieties leeks are inferior in yield to early varieties. At the same time, the quality is much higher. The growing season is 150-180 days.

Tango belongs to highly productive varieties. It is not susceptible to disease and winter hardy. The length of the bleached part is about 15 centimeters. Leaves are medium in size. The bulb is weak. Weight from 200 to 250 grams. A variety of universal use.

Bastion is one of the first mid-season varieties and ripens at 155-160 days. Leaves are medium, blue-green or gray-green. The bulb of the variety is moderately pronounced, the diameter of the bleached part is 5 centimeters, weight is 200 grams, length is 30 centimeters. The vegetable is used fresh, dried, canned.

Late varieties

Ripening period late-ripening varieties is six months. Productivity is on par with mid-season varieties.

Mercury grade differs in dark, green leaves. The bleached part is cylindrical, length 25 grams.

Czech leek variety Elephant ripens in 190 days. Plant height reaches 85 centimeters. The stem is medium. Weight - 200 grams. The taste is spicy, specific. The weight depends on the care and ranges from 150 to 200 grams. The taste is semi-sharp. The variety is resistant to viral diseases. Fresh, dried onions are used.

In addition to these varieties, the popular ones can be noted: Karantansky, Kilima, Jolant, Ginka, Bandit, Alaska, Vesta, Kyavar, Elephant Trunk, Winner.

When choosing a variety, one must not forget where exactly it will be used.

When to plant for seedlings, sowing dates

Seeds germinate at 2-5 degrees of heat, but when sown in warm conditions (at 20 degrees), the growth process is faster. The optimum temperature for foliage growth is 15–20 degrees with a plus sign.

Frosts for leek seedlings are fatal.

Rooted plants easily overwinter in the ground under cover or snow. When the temperature drops to -15 degrees, the plants freeze out without additional shelter or a sufficient layer of snow.

The second and the beginning of the third decade of March is suitable for sowing. If grown further under cover, the seeds are sown in February. Plants in mid-April are planted in a greenhouse, at the end of April under a film.

After 55-60 days, the grown seedlings can be planted in the ground. Sowing and planting dates directly depend on the region and may fluctuate in one direction or another.

Landing

Leeks are picky about the soil and the presence of a large amount of organic matter and mineral fertilizers. It is best to buy a ready-made universal soil mixture, but you can prepare it yourself from turf, peat and humus.

Before sowing, the seeds are placed in a cloth bag, laid out on a saucer and moistened with water room temperature(water should not cover the bag, only moisturize).

Soaking time 12-24 hours.

For cultivation, a small box, pots or peat cassettes or peat tablets are taken. The height of the container must be 15 centimeters or more. A pick is not required for this crop. At the bottom there should be a drainage layer of perlite, broken brick. The earth is poured into a container and moistened.

The seeds are slightly dried. Then they are laid out and sprinkled with a centimeter layer of earth. The width between seeds is 2 centimeters, row spacing is 5 centimeters.

By the time of planting, the plants must have at least 3 sheets. The diameter of the stems should be about 6 millimeters.

Seedling care

Before germination, the container maintains a temperature of 18-22 degrees during the day and at least 14 degrees at night, for this the box is covered with a transparent film. The film is periodically removed, and the plants are saturated with oxygen. For additional humidification, spraying is performed from a spray bottle.

• Watering is done as needed.
• After the emergence of seedlings, the film is removed, and the container with the sprouts is placed in a warm and bright place (without access to direct sunlight).
• Before planting, the plants are taken outside and hardened for 3 days.
• The place should be light and sheltered from the wind.

How to plant leeks in snails: video

What to do if onion seedlings are pulled

To prevent the seedlings from stretching, additional lighting is performed with a phytolamp ... Daylight hours should be about 16 hours... The lamp should be located at a distance of half a meter from the box with seedlings. As the seedlings grow, soil is poured over. If the room temperature is 22 degrees, the temperature is gradually reduced to 18 degrees.

You can trim the feathers of the onion so that the seedlings do not fall.

When and how to plant leek seedlings outdoors

55-60 days after sowing (mid-May), the seedlings are planted in open ground. Before planting, the seedlings are watered and carefully removed from the ground. Roots and top part the stem is trimmed.

The best for sowing are floodplain lands and loams with a neutral reaction.

Light sandy loam, heavy clay and acidic soil is not suitable for cultivation.

Onions, garlic, cucumbers, carrots are considered bad predecessors.

The best precursors for leeks are green manure, potatoes, cabbage, and legumes. For the past three years, any type of onion should not have grown on the garden bed.

On the future garden bed, 15 kilograms of organic matter (humus, compost), 60 grams of nitrophoska and 20 grams of urea per 1 meter are introduced in the fall. Dolomite flour or lime is added to acidic soil. Everything is carefully dug up. In the spring, 30 grams of ammonium nitrate or 20 grams of urea is added. Before planting, the earth is dug up, loosened and moistened.

For planting leeks, a two-line scheme is taken. The distance between the two lines is at least 0.2 meters. Between the ribbons about 0.7 meters. The interval between each seedling should be 8 centimeters, and for large varieties, even more.

If desired, you can use the one-line landing option. The row spacing in this case is 0.3 meters. The spacing between plants is 8 - 12 centimeters.

The planting depth of seedlings is 12-15 centimeters. After planting, the onion is watered.

Mulching is carried out with peat, small straw, sawdust.

You can plant cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, radishes, radishes, spinach, celery nearby.

Summer onion care

After rooting, the onion is spud down to the first leaf. With repeated hilling, the leek leg turns out to be more bleached. All care consists in removing weeds, loosening row spacings, watering and fertilizing.

Suitable for feeding Azofosk, Solution.

1. The first feeding is done 3 weeks after planting in the ground. By that time, 6 leaves should have formed on the plants. For feeding, a solution of bird droppings or mullein is taken (ten liters of water go to a liter of droppings).
2. For the next feeding (after 3 weeks), potassium nitrate is taken and nitrogen fertilizer 20 grams per meter. You can also take 35 grams of superphosphate, 20 grams of potassium, 20 grams of urea.
3. In the first decade of July, feeding is made from 45 grams of superphosphate, 35 grams of potassium.
4. In July, ash is poured under the stems, and hilling is performed.

4 dressings are made per season.

Leeks are watered every 5 days. A bucket of water goes down one meter.

Diseases and pests

When grown, leeks without proper agricultural technology are affected by downy mildew, fusarium, black mold, onion rust, neck rot, onion flies, ticks and aphids.

When leeks appear downy mildew, the plants must be completely removed. The plants remaining in the beds are sprayed with copper oxychloride and phytosporin.

When the appearance rust on the plants noticeable yellow pads appear, with accumulations of fungal spores. The pads darken when ripe and later turn black. Diseased leaves turn yellow and dry out. Diseased plants are removed and burned.

Viral mosaic lesion appears due to the main vectors - aphids. Leaves are covered with longitudinal yellow spots. Diseased plants are removed from the garden and destroyed. Timely preventive measures are taken against ticks and aphids. When growing seedlings from seeds of 2-3 years old, the plants additionally protect themselves from disease.

Most often, it eats leaves, leaving noticeable whitish passages. The larvae strongly affect the root of the plant.

Plants die without protective measures. Traditional methods of protection:

• When growing next to carrots, the fly does not affect onions, since the carrot smell is unpleasant to it.
• The onion is poured under the root with a solution from a bucket of water and 200 grams of salt.
• The soil is sprinkled with carrot and pepper seeds. There is a teaspoon of seeds per meter.
• Wood ash is also used in the amount of 100 grams per meter.

When to harvest

Plants in the beds remain until November in the southern regions. In the suburbs, in the Urals, Siberia, this time falls on the end of September, October before the snow.

Selective harvesting can be done when 4 wide leaves are formed on the plant. Full cleaning is carried out before the first frosts... The leek is removed very carefully using a shovel, pitchfork. After digging in, the roots are cut off on the onion.

If you want to extend the period of using fresh onions, in October the plants are dug up, the roots are slightly trimmed. Then the leek is placed in a greenhouse and covered with earth. At a temperature of 10 degrees, fresh leeks can be obtained until January.

How to store leeks

Smaller bulbs can be left for the winter and will start growing again in the spring. For wintering, plants are covered with peat, spruce branches, a layer of soil, and in winter with snow. When wintering in the ground, the plants will go to the arrows and give seeds.

Leeks are kept at home for about 2 months. By placing the leek in the refrigerator, the shelf life is extended.

To store the onion frozen, it must be cut into rings and placed in a bag in a layer of up to 5 centimeters. After that, the bag is placed in the freezer.

Leeks can be dried in the oven or electric dryer at a temperature not exceeding 45 degrees. At the same time, dried onions retain most of the nutrients.

In cold winters, the harvested leeks are buried in the sand and placed in a cool place with freezing temperatures.

Before laying for the winter, the leaves are shortened by 3/4 of the length. A 5 cm layer of sand is poured into the bottom of the storage container. The bow is set vertically. An interval of 15 centimeters is maintained between each plant. Moistened river sand is poured out. With an air humidity of 85 percent, greens remain for up to six months.

Russian gardeners are now increasingly engaged in the cultivation of leeks on their plots. This is a rather rare culture for the Russian Federation. It is also known under the name "pearl bow". It is generally accepted that caring for leek requires a lot of effort and a lot of time. Planting and growing leeks is troublesome - this hypothesis only concerns how to care for onions. In comparison, pearl onions require as much attention as other vegetable crops.

Leek - description

Vegetable culture leeks are herbaceous biennials that grow in height from 40 cm to 1 meter. Within 1 year of its existence, a strong root system is formed, a false white bulb, with a diameter of 2-8 cm and a length of 10 to 12 cm, turning into a false stem.

In addition, during this period, a lot of linear-lanceolate, fan-shaped leaves of green and green with blue shades are formed. At the 2nd year of life, in the middle of summer, a peduncle forms at the leek, the height of which reaches 2 m. With flowers of a pink or white hue. The flowers form an umbrella-shaped inflorescence.

Closer to September, the seeds reach their ripening. They have appearance like onion seeds. Leek seeds retain the ability to germinate for 2 years.

Leeks are resistant to cold weather, making special demands on watering. Where the central and northern regions are, they prefer to grow this crop using seedlings, and in the southern regions they are immediately sown into the soil.

Types and varieties

Pearl onions are available in 3 types. They depend on how soon the harvest will be obtained. It:

• early variety;
• mid-season;
• late (winter).

Early ripe leek- this is when the "leg" matures within 100 to 140 days. These onions have very delicate greens and low fiber content. Can be used as food. Species growing in the summer season are characterized by high yields. The weight of 1 fruit can reach 350 g, the length of the "leg" is from 40 to 50 cm, but the thickness is not so great - from 3 to 4 cm. It is very problematic to store this type of onion, but in order to eat it immediately after harvest - will do well.

Leek, medium ripening ripens from 140 to 160 days. Its "leg" is shorter - from 30 to 40 cm, but thicker - from 4 to 5 cm. Mid-season onions have a dark green feather, which have a coarse fibrous structure. The feather is covered with a layer of wax. You can store such an onion for two to two and a half months.

Late-ripening variety a guest from Asia who finds himself in Russia ripens within 200 days. It is customary to cultivate it using seedlings.

Another option is to send the grower to a greenhouse where heating is provided. When winter is over, there is a good chance of a healthy, bountiful harvest of onions.

What makes late leeks different? This is his "leg" - "giant", the diameter of which may be 7 cm, but in height it grows no more than 20 cm.

Important! «] A late-ripening variety of leeks can retain its beneficial qualities for a long time. During the period when the onion is stored, the dose of vitamin C contained in it increases by 3 times!

Characteristics and description of early varieties (consider common types).

Features of early ripe leek varieties

Columbus. A guest from Holland (he was bred there) is the Columbus variety. Ripens in the period from 100 to 110 days. Distinctive feature- the ability to produce fruits weighing up to 400 g. The "leg" has a spicy-sweet taste, and the greens are distinguished by the fact that they are soft. This bow does not need additional hilling. It is quite easy to look after him. Disease resistant. It is widely used when preparing fresh salads.

Vesta... Russian breeders have developed the Vesta variety. It can reach a height of 1.5 m in its growth. It has a powerful "leg", sweet in taste, the height of which is about 30 cm with a diameter of 3 to 4 cm. It will delight the gardener with a harvest after 120 days. To make the productive part of the onion stalk larger, it is spud or covered with earth.

Elephant trunk variety ... In the trunk of an elephant, the "leg" can reach a height of 30 cm. This happens only if the hilling of leeks is systematically carried out. A distinctive feature is a pleasant sweetish taste, as well as the ability to be stored for a long time.

Leek variety Goliath. The goliath has powerful wide feathers of a gray-green hue. They are eaten. A mature vegetable weighs about 200 g. It is not resistant to diseases. Ripens after 120-130 days.

Leek Kilim. A distinctive quality of kilim is that the height of the “leg” can reach 30 cm, its diameter is about 5 cm, and it also has a denser structure. The weight of a ripe leek fruit is from 150 to 170 grams. It is widely used for drying and preservation.

Variety name Bulgarian giant speaks for itself. The "leg" has a height of 45 cm and a diameter of about 4 cm. The color of the leaf blades is green-blue. Excellent for long-term storage, preservation and consumption immediately after collection. The yield is indicative - 5 kg / sq.m. If you look after carefully - 6.

Video: an overview of interesting varieties of leeks

About the best mid-season varieties - description

Medium ripening variety Kazimir ... A native of Germany is Casimir. Its fruits weigh about 250 g. It has a strong bleached part, the thickness of which is from 5 to 6 cm, in height reaches 30 cm, the taste of leek is very delicate. Leaves are dark green in color, very coarse, not suitable for eating.

A feature of Kavar there is a thin "leg", the plates of the sheets are narrow and delicate. It is most often used as a greenery, since it has a very strong taste and aroma in comparison with other varieties. The yield indicator is 4.5 kg / sq. Not more.

View giving high yield Is Tango. It differs in that the "leg" is short, as well as small leaves, blue-green in color. The growing season is from 120 to 130 days. A mature vegetable weighs 250 g. Perfect for making salads and preserving.

Guest from the Czech Republic - Kamus. The breeders of this country have tried to create a fruit that is resistant to fungal diseases. The yield indicator is average. 1 fruit weighs about 150 g. The height of the "leg" is from 15 to 18 cm, and the thickness is from 2 to 3 cm. The vegetable has a burning taste. It is used when preparing salads.

Onion variety - Pandora leek the height of the "leg" is up to 25 cm, and the diameter is about 5 cm. The dark leaf blades have a dense structure. The variety is used for both conservation and fresh storage. The yield indicator is 4 kg / sq.

The Jolant onion is considered to be undersized (about 40 cm). This variety is very often used on an industrial scale. Sizo - The purple tops are rather rough. The vegetable weighs approximately 180 g. The stem has an average height and thickness.

Bastion is a high-yielding variety. The "leg" has a height of about 30 cm. The weight of a mature vegetable is about 220 g.

The main late varieties of leeks and their characteristics

A native of Russia - Asgeos. He has large fruits. Weight 1 can reach 350 g. The massive stem has a thickness of 6 to 7 cm. In height it reaches 20 cm (very rarely, when more). After 180-200 days, you can harvest. Stored well. The taste is slightly spicy.

Dutch bandit is a late maturing hybrid of high growth. It has a short bleached part and a cut thickness of up to 8cm. It is easy to store it. He is left, no problem, to spend the winter in the basement.

The late ripening species is Karantansky. The growing season is delayed, since ripening occurs after 200 days. The length of the "leg" is short, but thick in diameter. To taste, the culture is weak - spicy.

A characteristic feature of the leek is Mercury, this is what the "leg" has - the shape of a cylinder. The fruit weighs 150 g. This onion is stored perfectly. It is resistant to disease.

The winter variety of onions Gigant the stem is 7 cm thick and the onion is about 25 cm high. As a rule, it is eaten fresh. It tolerates low temperatures perfectly. The yield indicator is 6 kg / sq.

Elephant variety - the product of Czech breeders, in comparison with others, has drought resistance and frost resistance. The length of the "leg" is about 25 cm. The fruit weighs up to 200 g. Blue-green leaves have a strong waxy coating. The bulb is poorly expressed.

Autumn giant. The "brainchild" of Dutch breeders is the Autumn Giant. He has a large leg, reaching a height of 40 cm, a diameter of about 8 cm, and a bleached stem. Loves moisture. There should be no weeds near it. Can be stored for a long time.

It is worth paying attention! “] When choosing a leek variety for planting, take into account the region and the purpose of the cultivation. For example, if you want to eat fresh herbs, then you should give preference to early varieties. When leeks are needed “on hand” during the winter season, then it is worth purchasing one of the late-ripening species.

In what ways are leeks planted

This is done with:
seeds;
seedlings;
seeds for winter sowing (do not soak or germinate).

They use a seedless method of planting leeks (seeds) only in the southern regions of the Russian Federation. In the central regions, it is necessary to grow seedlings in order to harvest a full harvest in 1 season.

How to plant leeks using seeds

Sowing material retains the ability to germinate for 3 years. Besides, the best option is the use of not fresh, but of the material that has lain for two years. In the event that the seeds were purchased in a store, there is no point in preparing them in advance. In the event that you have to deal with homemade material, the preparatory work will be similar to processing cabbage seeds.

March is when activities start before planting onions:

1. Seeds should be disinfected before planting. To do this, they are first placed in water heated to 45 degrees, and then placed in cold water.
2. It is necessary to create conditions for the seeds to germinate. To do this, moisten the fabric with warm water, put them there, and leave in a warm place for 3 days.
3. After this period, the seeds are collected, slightly dried to facilitate sowing. Then immediately placed in soil.

When choosing a place for the future planting of leeks, they are guided by the principle of crop compatibility.

Pearl onions will be happy if the predecessor plants were: cucumbers, garlic, cabbage, onions, peas, beans, carrots, potatoes (early). On the recommendation of gardeners, fertilizers must be introduced into the soil before planting leeks.

Leeks are planted according to the following scheme:

• The seeds are planted to a depth not exceeding 2 cm.
• There should be a distance of 15 to 25 cm between each row.

Video: Sowing leek seeds in open ground

Leeks: planting seedlings - seedling method

How to plant onions using seedlings? For those regions where the climate is cool and temperate, experts recommend growing leek seedlings in this way:

• When winter comes to an end, it is necessary to sow seeds in boxes. The depth of the groove is usually 2 cm. The row spacing is 5 cm. The soil should be fertilized in advance.
• The boxes are covered with polyethylene and taken to a room where it is warm and light.
• As soon as the first shoots have appeared, the polyethylene is removed, and the temperature in the room is lowered to +14 degrees in the evening hours, and +20 degrees - during the day.
• After 30 days, the seedlings are cut open, and they are planted in containers, the diameter of which is about 5 centimeters. Once every 14 days, it should be moistened using compost tea and pruned so that the height does not exceed 10 cm.

Leek seedlings are planted according to the rules.

• In the first weeks of April - to the greenhouse (made of glass).
• In the last days of this month, leek seedlings are planted in open ground under polyethylene.
• In May - already into the ground, which does not need to be covered. A useful action will be this: shortening the roots of the onion by 1/3.

Note! ”] In order for leek seedlings to take root well in the soil, it is necessary to place the roots in advance in a composition made of clay and mullein, taken in the same ratio.

Video: planting and leaving leeks in the open field before winter (Moscow region)

Features of growing leeks

Landing dates

The gardener must decide in advance on the timing: when is the best time to plant the planting material. Sowing dates depend on the method by which the onion was grown. Experts consider the best way to use seedlings, i.e. its cultivation, and subsequent planting in open soil.

Therefore, the logical answer to the question of "when is the best time to plant the seeds" will be associated with the leek variety. The seeds are sown taking into account the fact that after 65-75 days they have grown up seedlings, which are planted in open ground. In March 20-25, leeks to get seedlings from it. These terms are the most optimal.

There is also information that the best time planting leek seeds for seedlings is the end of February. Seedlings that have grown are planted under the open sky in early May, or in the middle of the month.

How to prepare the soil for planting

The land intended for this culture should be neutral. In order to reduce the acidity of the soil, dolomite is introduced into it in the fall. If the soil has an alkaline pH, a small amount of peat should be added in the fall.

In the fall, it is necessary to fertilize the soil in order to increase it physical characteristics, and in order to increase the yield of leek. Experts recommend fertilizing the soil with rotted manure and compost. Fertilizers are applied per 1 sq.m. areas from 6 to 8 kg.

It does not hurt to take into account that pumpkin crops, potatoes, and legumes (peas, beans, etc.) are considered optimal precursor plants for this culture.

Here we talked about: and revealed the secret of how to deal with it.

How to care for leek beds

In the process of growing leeks in the open air, like all crops, it needs care. The soil must be watered, fertilized, loosened between the rows. As soon as the diameter of the stem becomes slightly larger, add earth to the holes.

After that, with an interval of 14 days, the culture is huddled (the soil is raked to the stems) so that the part of the white “leg” grows as long as possible. It is best when hilling leeks is combined with watering.

As a rule, during growth, the leek should be huddled 4 to 6 times.

How to water and fertilize

It is necessary to provide leeks with regular and abundant watering (1 time in 5 days). It is necessary to fertilize the plant: this procedure is carried out 3-4 times during the entire growing period (until the end of the summer season).

Fertilize for the first time, usually 21 days after the onion has been planted. The following fertilizers are used: cow dung, bird droppings, ammonium nitrate, superphosphate, ammophoska.

Advice! "] Experts advise, simultaneously with hilling, to feed, adding ash to the onion.

How does maturation go

If the summer is cold and rainy, certain leek varieties will ripen very slowly. They will not have time to reach full strength by the time the crop needs to be harvested.

Late-ripening leek varieties withstand low temperatures when the first frost occurs. In the event that the onion is not ripe by the end of autumn, it is transplanted into boxes and taken to the house. There he will mature.

Leek, in order for it to ripen well, it is better to plant it in the place in the garden that is best lit.
In the event that there is a desire to collect onion seeds, it makes sense to leave it for the winter. Plants will delight you with good seeds for next year.

Properties of leeks - harm and benefit

Leeks contain a high content of vitamin C. In addition, they contain vitamins: B1, B2, E. The culture contains: carotene, protein substances, potassium salts, magnesium, iron, calcium, sulfur, phosphorus.

This type of leek has such a unique quality: during the storage period, the amount of ascorbic acid in it increases by more than 1.5 times.

Since ancient times, people have noticed that leeks have healing properties. That is why this plant was used when help was required for: gout, rheumatism, scurvy, obesity, metabolic disorders, vitamin deficiency, exhaustion, urolithiasis. The use of leeks showed good results when it was required to treat people who were physically and mentally exhausted.

As shown by clinical studies, leeks have a diuretic and choleretic effect, it stimulates appetite, has positive impact to work the liver.

Leek slows down the development of cancer. So, it is used for diagnoses: prostate cancer, bowel cancer, uterine cancer. This culture helps to increase the tone, restore the body, gives strength in the spring, when vitamin deficiency occurs.

Onions have a wound healing effect. When a person gets scratched or bruised, leeks will help the wounds to heal faster. It also increases hemoglobin in the blood.

The culture is successfully used in the treatment of diseases such as: anthrax, tuberculosis, streptococcal and staphylococcal infections, diarrhea, chills, insomnia, arthritis, and ulcer attacks. The vegetable is also effective in the treatment of other disorders and diseases of the body.

Storage features

Leeks are good for keeping at home. In the event that it is correctly "packaged" in the fall. Bow for long winter will be able to delight the owner of the garden and his relatives with greens containing many useful properties. Leeks are stored in the refrigerator using plastic bags.

There is one caveat: it is necessary to cool the packages and onions to the storage temperature before putting the onions in the refrigerator. Then they pack the onions in bags and put them in the refrigerator.

Leeks, like ordinary ones, are frozen like this: cut into small pieces, put in plastic bottle or containers and then placed in the freezer.

It is very convenient to do this: freeze the onion in ice cubes along with dill, parsley. It will be easy for the hostesses to prepare meals later. For example, you can add such a cube to soup or borscht. You can also put such cubes in 2 dishes. It will be delicious!

This type of onion can be dried and stored in a glass jar in one of the sections of your kitchen cabinet. When there is a basement, or a balcony, where the air temperature is low, plant the leek in a box filled with wet sand. Leek roots should be planted at a shallow depth.

We must not forget to pour additional sand between the plants: 10 cm.

In this form, the onions will not lose their freshness during the entire winter period. If necessary, even longer. As soon as needed, they dig it out in the right amount to use the leek for cooking various dishes.

This is also done when the plant is ripe. When pruning young leek plants, leave a length of 8 to 10 cm. The leaves must be trimmed so that the root system forms properly and the stem is thick.

For planting new shoots of leeks, small pots are suitable square shape 4X4cm. It is convenient to place such containers on the windowsill, and there is enough space for the plant in the pots.

Vegetable growers sow leeks in July, leaving them to winter in the ground for an early harvest. By the way, even with the usual planting in spring, this culture is left for the winter as a plant that gives a crop for many years.

They cover the onion and dig it out when the need arose. The plants that remain will be able to sprout in the spring and give seeds (this is due to the fact that onions are a biennial crop). When the region has low temperatures in winter, it is not worth the risk, but rather grow leeks as an annual plant.

Video: Leek - growing tricks

Alina Sokolova, specially for

With full copying or partial use of the material, an active link to www.!

Recently, the cultivation of such a rare culture for Russia as leeks, also known as pearl onions, has become popular in garden plots. It is believed that growing leeks takes a lot of time and effort. This statement is only true in comparison to cultivation: in fact, caring for pearl onions is no more difficult than caring for any vegetable crop.

• Place the seeds in a small container.
• Fill with hot water (50 ° C).
• Leave on for 20 minutes.
• Drain the water.
• Place the seeds in a damp cloth bag or gauze.
• Place the seed bag in a dark place.
• The fabric must be damp.
• After a week, take out the seeds, dry them slightly and plant them in the ground.

Leek seeds do not absorb water very well, and this treatment will allow them to accumulate the moisture necessary for germination.

Sowing technology of leek seeds in open ground:

• Before sowing, dig the garden bed to a depth of 20 cm and add - 4 kg of compost and 40 g of urea, potassium salt and superphosphate are taken for 1 square meter of soil.
• Lightly compact the soil.
• Make grooves 8 cm deep.
• Sow into grooves.
• Sprinkle with earth with a layer of 2-3 cm.
• Re-compact the soil (you can slap it with your hand).

After the seedlings grow to a height of 10 cm, they need to permanent place at a distance of at least 15 cm from each other, observing a gap between the rows of 50 cm.

Leek seeds are sown for seedlings in February-March. Seedling containers can be very different: seed boxes, pots (at least 12 cm in diameter) or greenhouse beds.

The composition of the soil for seedlings can be as follows:

• Peat - one piece
• Garden soil - one part
• Humus - one and a half parts.

Pour the prepared soil into seedling containers with a layer of 8-10 cm, compact and pour a solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection (40-50 ° C).

Caring for pearl onions, in addition to feeding and hilling, includes regular weeding, loosening and watering. Plants need to be watered every 4-5 days, increasing the frequency of watering only on very hot and dry days. Water consumption is 10 liters per square meter of soil. The water temperature should be 15 degrees.

The harvest time depends on the leek variety: some varieties begin to be harvested in August, others intended for storage - not earlier than October. The best time to harvest leeks is a few days before the onset of frost.

Leeks are carefully poured in and, holding by the stem, are pulled out of the ground. The plant for storage is cut to a length of 25 cm, the roots are shortened to 2 cm, placed in containers and sprinkled with wet sand. You cannot completely cut off the roots, because without them, the onion begins to rot.

The most acceptable storage temperature is 1-2 degrees.

Leeks have an amazing unique feature: during storage, they increase the content of ascorbic acid in the stem by one and a half times. No other vegetable has this property.

More information can be found in the video.

Hello! The planting season has already begun and today we will continue the topic of planting and growing onions. In the previous article, we looked at. Today we will disassemble the leek.

Leeks are a versatile crop that is used for canning, freezing, pickling, making first courses and salads. It contains vitamins B and C, sodium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, calcium.

Due to its low calorie content, it is suitable for a dietetic diet. Leek is classified as an unpretentious plant for growing.

Proper cultivation of onions in a snail in the open field

Using a snail is a new way of growing onions. It attracts gardeners with many benefits. The distance between the plants promotes good root development. Large numbers of seedlings do not require a lot of space. The bow does not stretch, due to which it forms correctly. Seedlings are easier to water.

To create a snail you will need:

• construction substrate 1 m long and 10-15 cm wide;
• soil composition or a mixture of peat, garden soil and humus (1: 1: 2);
• plastic bag;
• two elastic bands;
• seeds;
• plastic bottle or other suitable container.

Seed preparation for planting:

First, the preparation of the planting material is carried out. The seeds are laid out on gauze, poured over with warm water and left to swell. This helps to stimulate their germination.

For hardening, the seeds are placed in cold water for a day, which is changed every 3-4 hours. The next preparatory stage is disinfection. It is carried out using garlic water (20 g of chopped garlic per 100 ml), which is poured over the seeds for 1 hour, after which they are washed. Now you can start forming the snail.

The procedure is performed in several stages:

2. Then you need to lay out the substrate and pour a layer of soil 1 cm thick on top. For this, you can use a spatula or spoon. If the soil is crumbling, it should be slightly moistened.

4. The substrate is rolled up and fixed with an elastic band.

5. The snail is placed in a bottle.

6. Water the seeds.

7. Cover the snail from above with a bag and secure it with a second elastic band. When the first shoots appear, the polyethylene is removed.

The snail is placed in a room with a temperature of 11-16˚С. When the shoots appear, you need to provide good lighting for the onions. Water the seedlings after 3-4 days. Water is served from above, it is not advisable to pour it into pallets. Once every two weeks, the plants are fed with compost tea. To prepare it, add 10 ml of syrup, jam or molasses and a glass of compost to 3 liters of water. The tea should be infused for 24 hours.

What to do next with leek seedlings?

In open ground, the seedlings are moved two months after the formation of shoots. Pre-hardening is carried out. A few days before planting, the onions begin to be taken out into the open air. The first stay of seedlings on the street should not exceed 3 hours. On the second day, the time is increased. Plants are left for 5-6 hours. Then the onion can be hardened all day long. At night he is brought into the shelter. The minimum hardening period is three days.

For the leek, choose a well-lit area with sandy or loamy soil, the preparation of which begins in the fall. The soil is fertilized with a nutrient mixture (4 kg of compost or manure, 15 g of potassium chloride and 30 g of superphosphate per 1 m2). In the spring, add 15 g of urea or 20 g of ammonium nitrate. Onions are planted after:

• cabbage;
• potatoes;
• cucumbers;
• legumes;
• tomatoes.

Carrots, onions and garlic are not suitable as precursors for this culture. Planting is carried out in early May. First, grooves 10 cm deep are prepared, which are half filled with compost and watered. Leave 15 cm between the plants. The roots and leaves are cut a little. Plants are placed in holes and covered with soil. The rows are placed every 30-40 cm.

Water the culture every five days at the rate of 10 liters of water per 1 m2. After three weeks after planting, the onions are fertilized with a solution of 3 tbsp. l. preparation "Effekton", 1 tsp. urea and 10 liters of water. For 1 m2, 3 liters of the mixture are consumed. After 20 days, a second feeding is performed with a composition of poultry droppings and water (20: 1). The third time the culture is fertilized after a similar period of time with a mixture of 15 g of potassium salt, 15 g of ammonium nitrate and a bucket of water.

Outdoor Leek Care:

When the onion begins to grow, you need to spud it. This procedure consists in adding earth to the stems. Hilling is performed at intervals of two weeks. It is advisable to combine it with watering. Leek can be affected by the following diseases:

• viral mosaic - a disease that does not respond to treatment, manifests itself in the form yellow spots on the leaves, leads to the death of the plant. The affected onion must be removed;
• leaf rust is a fungal disease. It can be recognized by the yellow-orange bumps on the leaves, which subsequently dry out. Sick plants are pulled out, and healthy plants are sprayed with a solution of "Fitosporin" (100 g of paste per 200 ml of water);
• Downy mildew is a fungal infection that causes white spots on onions. The plant is pulled out, the rest are treated with Fitosporin.

For onions, onion flies and aphids are dangerous. When the first pest is defeated, the growth of the culture slows down. The leaves turn yellow and dry out. The fly should be fought with the "Aktara" product (8 g per 10 l of water). Aphids feed on plant sap, which leads to deformation and death of leaves, slowing down the growth of the stem. The culture is treated with copper sulfate (1 tsp per 10 l of water) or potassium permanganate (30 per 10 l).

Leeks begin to be eaten when 4-5 leaves are formed. The harvest is completely harvested in the fall. The onion is dug out with a pitchfork. You should not use a shovel, as you can damage the plant. Leek is cleaned of soil and partially cut the roots. Leaves are not cut. The harvest is stored at 2-5˚С. Small amounts of onions can be kept in the refrigerator. For storage, a cellar is also used, where the vegetable is placed in wet sand.

Planting leeks for seedlings according to the lunar calendar 2019

Often gardeners are guided by the lunar calendar. This practice has been known since ancient times. Farmers have noticed that lunar cycles affect the development of cultures. During the growing phase, the sap of the plant is directed upward. And with decreasing - to the roots. According to this version, leeks should be planted on the growing moon. Leaves are prized in this vegetable.

Since the seeds for seedlings are planted from the end of February to the beginning of March, the days from March 7 to March 13 will be suitable for this in 2019. It is not advisable to carry out planting work during the full moon and new moon. And also the day before these phases and the next day after them.

How to properly grow and care for onions in the Moscow region?

For the Moscow region, you should choose varieties with an early ripening period. This is due to the climatic features of the region. Late and mid-late varieties will not be able to fully develop due to the lack of sunlight. It is recommended to grow in the Moscow region:

• Columbus - the white part of this onion reaches 30 cm, it has a mass of 300-400 g, its stem diameter is 5-6 cm;
• Vesta is distinguished by its considerable height - from 25 to 50 cm, weight 230-350 g, leaves reach 140 cm;
• Elephant grows up to 20-30 cm, leaves up to 150 cm, stem 4-5 cm;
• Tango is a low variety with a white part of 10-15 cm and leaves of 70 cm, weight 200-250 g;
• Casimir is distinguished by a small stem thickness - 3 cm, the height of the white part is from 20 to 30 cm, weight is 200 g;
• Goliath has gray-green leaves of medium size, grows up to 22-28 cm, stem thickness 5 cm, weight 150-200 g.

The growing season of leeks lasts six months. Therefore, in the middle lane, it is recommended to grow seedlings. If the seeds are planted directly in the garden bed, the white part of the crop may not form well. Care involves regular feeding, hilling, watering and pest and disease control.

When to plant onions in open ground with seeds

Onion seeds are planted in the second half of April or May. Previously, the soil is dug to a depth of 20 cm and fertilized. The preparation of the planting material is carried out in the same way as in the seedling method. Seeds are sown in grooves at a distance of 10 cm, after which they are sprinkled with earth. The rows are placed every 20-25 cm.

Video on how to properly plant leeks in open ground

Growing leeks is not difficult. It is important to observe crop rotation and provide the plant necessary care... When choosing a variety, one should take into account the climatic conditions of the area.