Step-by-step guide to growing leeks from seeds for beginner gardeners

The demand for leeks is increasing every year. The plant has a spicy taste and is rich in nutrients. A distinctive feature of the vegetable is the ability to grow in regions with a difficult climate. All the secrets and features of the cultivation of this culture are collected in our article.

Features of growing leeks from seeds

Leek is a biennial herb that can be grown:

1. In a reckless way. Seeds are planted in open ground, greenhouse or greenhouse.
2. Seedling method. Seedlings are grown from the seeds, which are then transplanted into the soil.

When choosing a planting method, you need to take into account the climatic conditions of the region.... Seeds are planted in open ground only in the southern regions of the country. In this case, the soil should warm up well. In regions with variable weather conditions, the seedling method is used. Depending on the climate, a plant variety is also chosen.

Preparatory stage

The volume of the crop is half dependent on the correct preparatory stage... It includes the selection and hardening of seeds, preparation of suitable soil and containers for seedlings.

Seed preparation

Quality planting material and proper care will ensure a good harvest. Seeds are prepared for planting - hardened and disinfected.

Procedure:

1. Boil water and cool it down to + 40 ... + 45 ° С.
2. Place the seeds in a gauze bag and soak in hot water for 25 minutes.
3. Rinse the seeds with cool water and spread them out on a damp cloth.
4. Cover with a small piece of cloth and leave for 3-5 days.
5. During this time periodically spray the cloth with water from a spray bottle.
6. If desired, the seeds can be disinfected in a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

If you bought seeds, you do not need to disinfect them.... This is only necessary for self-collected material.

Important! The shelf life of seeds is 2-3 years. With each subsequent year, germination decreases.

Soil and container preparation

Leeks are unpretentious to the soil. The best option is considered to be fertile sandy-clay soil.... Peat pots, which are made specifically for breeding seedlings, are also suitable. After processing, the seeds are planted in pre-prepared containers with a depth of 12 cm.

Attention! Prepared containers should be treated with a disinfectant.

Instructions for growing leek from seeds in one season

In most regions of Russia, the climate is unpredictable, therefore it is better to plant leeks in open ground in the form of matured seedlings... This method will allow you to consume the vegetable at the end of the summer season. Onion ripening period is 7-8 months.

Planting seedlings and caring for it

Growing seedlings begin to practice from the end of February in warmer regions or from mid-March - in cold... It is necessary to prepare the soil: it must contain organic (wood ash, sod, peat) and inorganic (urea, compost, superphosphate) fertilizers.

Important! Heavy clay soil is not suitable for the plant.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Mix soil with fertilizer and moisten it slightly.
2. Spread the soil into the box and compact it. There should be no voids - they interfere with the rooting of plants.
3. Make grooves in the ground no more than 2 cm deep.
4. Place seeds in them and sprinkle a little sand on top.
5. Sprinkle soil with a spray bottle and cover with foil.
6. The room temperature should be within + 20 ° С.
7. With the emergence of seedlings, seedlings need to be hardened. To do this, move the drawer to a cool place.
8. Remove the foil and reduce the room temperature by 1 ° C daily.
9. Finish hardening at a temperature of + 14 ° С.

With proper care, the first shoots will appear in 7-14 days, if wrong - after 20. Seedlings require 12-hour daylight hours. To provide it, stock up on additional light sources. Onions need abundant watering, do not let them dry out. A month after germination, thin out the leek: leave 3-4 cm between the shoots. The height of the seedlings should not exceed 10 cm, so trim it. The sprouts are fertilized 2 weeks after germination and a week before planting in the ground.

Interesting on the site:

Properties of leeks and varieties of varieties

What part of leek is eaten and how to cook it

Landing in the ground

The main condition is the absence of sudden temperature changes... The best option is to keep the temperature not less than + 18 ° С during the day and not less than + 13 ° С in the evening. Failure to comply with the conditions will lead to plant disease, and they will not be able to take root.

Reference. Many classify leeks as cold-resistant plants, but this does not apply to seedlings. It is necessary to plant it only in warm soil without the threat of frost.

Before replanting in open ground, select acceptable conditions for the onion... The beds should be in a bright, open place. You can plant leeks where tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants used to grow. Moisten the ground before planting, and prune the roots and leaves of the seedlings.

Leek seedlings are deepened into the soil by 6-7 cm... The distance in the row between the shoots is 12-15 cm, the width between the beds is 30-50 cm. Do not plant the bulbs close to each other - this gives a weak development of the white part of the stem. Onions need enough room to root well.

Care

Experienced gardeners note that for the successful cultivation of leeks it is enough to adhere to the three rules of care:

1. Regular watering... The vegetable loves moisture. He needs it for growth and development. Water the plant every 4-6 days. To retain moisture, apply mulching - cover the beds with straw or peat. But make sure there is no excess water. From this, diseases can begin.
2. Timely feeding... Vegetable crops need nutrients. Do not forget to feed the soil using formulations with ammonium nitrate, mullein, wood ash.
3. Hilling and weed control... Loosen the soil and remove all weeds. Huddle seedlings 4-5 times per season.

Diseases and pests

Like any plant, leeks are susceptible to disease and pest attacks.

Common diseases:

• powdery mildew is a fungus that manifests itself as a greenish bloom on the leaves and stem;
• bacterial striped spotting and rot - watery spots appear on the leaves, the tips turn brown, stripes appear first green and then black, the leaves curl;
• heart rot - white or brown spots on the inner leaves, their death;
• bottom rot - twisting and necrosis of leaves, thickened roots, transparent, brown watery spot on the bottom;
• onion rust (pictured) - the rapid spread of painful red spots throughout the plant.

Dangerous pests include:

• onion moth - the leaves turn yellow at the ends and dry out;
• hoverfly - larvae leave long stripes on the leaves;
• root mite - the leaves are deformed, covered with a whitish bloom;
• hidden proboscis - the leaves are deformed and dry up;
• nematode - Plants are stunted, brown lesions are visible on thin roots;
• thrips - growth slows down, leaves turn yellow.

Gardeners fight diseases and pests immediately... For the treatment of diseases, the drugs "Quadris", "Acrobat", "Signum" are used, to get rid of pests - "Connect", "Vantex".

Harvesting and storage

The harvest time depends on the plant variety. Early ripe varieties are harvested in July, later ones - in October... Leeks are dug out with wide pitchforks, and they are immersed in the soil at a distance of 15 cm from the plant - this is more convenient to get the vegetable out of the ground.

Store onions in different ways:

1. In the closet, basement, refrigerator, where the air temperature is no more than + 1 ... + 2 ° С. In such conditions, onions can last up to 3-4 months.
2. In a box of sand. Cover the white part of the stem with sand and put the box in a cool place.
3. In the pit. Leeks are placed in a dug hole and covered with earth. In the cold, dry leaves are placed on top.
4. Frozen. The vegetable is washed, dried, cut and put in portions in the freezer.
5. In a dried state. Onions are washed, dried, cut and left for several days at room temperature. In dry form, it is stored tightly packed.

How to grow leek seeds

In order not to buy seeds for the next year, you can independently collect planting material... To do this, you need to leave several bulbs in the ground. After wintering, the plant will shoot an arrow and begin to bloom. After flowering, seed pods are formed, which will give seeds.

If this option is not suitable, use the following guidelines:

1. Dig in the best bulbs in the greenhouse in the spring.
2. When the plants produce feathers, do not prune them.
3. The bow will shoot arrows, which will form seed pods.

Take note:

How to cook pickled leeks

How to cook leek soup properly

Tips from experienced gardeners

Tips from experienced summer residents who know the nuances of growing leeks:

1. Be careful with the choice of fertilizers. Leek does not like nitrogen fertilization, limit their use.
2. Do not neglect soil mulching. It keeps moisture in the right amount and prevents dehydration of the plant.
3. Weeds are harmful to onion ripening. Destroy weeds in a timely manner and loosen the soil.
4. Leek is a moisture-loving plant. Provide him with timely watering.

Conclusion

Growing leeks takes a little knowledge and effort. Choose quality seeds for your climate, water and fertilize abundantly, and fight back pests. This will allow you to harvest a large harvest and enjoy a healthy vegetable.