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Master class on growing the perfect leek: an agronomist reveals secrets
08.04.2024 05:50
Planting leeks in the garden is a process that requires certain knowledge and skills. In this article, we will share with you the secrets of planting this tasty vegetable.
Anastasia Kovrizhnykh , an expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", an agronomist and landscape designer, told how to cope with this task.
Selecting Soil
Leeks grow well in fertile soils that drain well.
If you have acidic soil, you may need to add lime or wood ash before planting to neutralize the acid.
Seed preparation
Before planting the seeds, they should be soaked in warm water for several hours with the addition of a growth stimulator to speed up seed germination and improve the quality of future seedlings.
Planting seeds
Leek seeds are planted at a depth of about 1 centimeter, the distance between them should be about 3-4 centimeters.
After planting, the seeds are covered with soil, watered and covered with film or glass to create greenhouse conditions.
Caring for seedlings
Once the shoots appear, the film or glass should be removed and the seedlings should be placed in a light place.
The seedlings are watered as the soil dries out, avoiding over-watering, and periodic fertilization with mineral fertilizers is also carried out.
Picking
When 2-3 leaves appear on the seedlings, they are transplanted into a separate container or to a permanent place in the garden bed.
It is important not to damage the roots of the plants when replanting them together with the lump of earth in which they grew.
Planting in open ground
For planting, choose a sunny place where the soil is fertile. Plants are planted at a distance of about 20-25 centimeters from each other.
After planting, the soil is mulched, watered regularly, its condition is monitored and the beds are weeded in a timely manner.
Feeding and care
Throughout the growing season, leeks require regular fertilizing. Fertilizers are applied every 2-3 weeks. Organic and mineral fertilizers are alternated.
Harvesting
The harvest can be collected 80-90 days after planting. The readiness of the onion for harvesting is determined by the condition of the leaves.
If they start to turn yellow and bend towards the ground, then you can start harvesting. The onions are carefully dug out of the ground.
These simple tips will help you grow wonderful leeks in your garden that will delight you with their taste and aroma.
Previously we talked about how to determine soil acidity .
