Leek technique

Wet weather in July isn't something I am routinely in the mood for shouting from the rooftops about but the downpours this weekend signalled I didn't need to spend time sweating around the allotment, cans in hand, to quench the thirst of my crops.

And it cleared up in time for me to spend a couple of hours down there this evening, weeding and transplanting some leeks. The latter should probably have been done several weeks ago but my leek seeds germinated somewhat erratically, and anyway the soil's been like iron in this dry spell.

So with the earth softened by the rain I got stuck in. My leek transplanting technique is pretty classic: prepare the soil with a bit of light digging, then prepare a hole as deep as possible using a thickish, strongish bamboo cane, widening it with a bit of a wiggle. If the soil's just right the hole will stay open so the leek seedling can be popped in, then watered without filling in the hole. Some people recommend chopping off the top half of the leaves but by the time mine have gone in the hole the leaves left showing are pretty short anyway.

The only thing I haven't managed to achieve is the kind of jumbo leeks you see on specimen veg stalls at shows: mine tend to be rather more slimline, which I (probably wrongly) think  enhances the flavour. I am not sure if this is down to my organic growing techniques or some gap in my leek knowledge, but do spill the beans if you know ...

Comments

[Kerry]

This year is my first attempt at leeks. I didn't start my own seed but ordered 60 transplants. The box came with 260 plants in it so needless to say we shall have lots o leeks this year. Got any good recipes?

[Jane Perrone]

Wow.

That's a LOT of leeks. I hope you have a big family. Leek and potato soup is a winner - Delia has a good recipe here: http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/r_0000001810.asp

They're also very good simply braised in a bit of butter in the oven, particularly if picked while young. I also add them to soups, stews and stir fries.