Leek is one of the vegetables that takes a little longer to ripen. After caring for the plants for many weeks after sowing, the time for harvest has finally come. It starts in August or October!
How and when should you harvest leeks?
The best way to harvest leeks is to loosen them with a spade or hoe in the morning, leave them in the bed for a few hours, pull them out or cut them off in the evening and press the soil down well. Summer leeks are harvested before the first frost, winter leeks can also tolerate sub-zero temperatures and can remain in the bed longer.
When is leek ready to harvest?
Five to six months after planting the leeks, long white stems and dark green foliage have formed. Now is the time for the harvest.
Summer leeks that were sown in spring must be taken out of the ground before the first frost and processed quickly. Winter leeks can also tolerate sub-zero temperatures. During the cold season, only harvest as many stalks as you can use and leave the others in the bed.
Do not take off immediately after loosening
To harvest the leeks, use a spade or a narrow rake (€8.00 on Amazon). Insert the implement next to the poles as deep as possible. Using leverage, the soil around the poles is lifted so that the leek plants loosen. This is best done in the morning hours.
The leek will now stay in the bed for a few more hours. This reduces the nitrate content in the sticks. This also makes it easier to see whether the plants are affected by pests or diseases.
The leek is only completely pulled out of the ground in the evening. The remaining soil is shaken off and the ground is pressed down again. This prevents pests from nesting.
What should you pay attention to when harvesting leeks in winter?
Winter leeks can remain in the bed until they are ready to be used in the kitchen. Do not touch frozen leeks when removing them from the ground. This makes them soft and mushy and loses their aroma.
Harvest tips in brief:
- Loosen the leeks in the morning with a spade or hoe
- Leave in the bed for a few hours
- Pull out or cut the leek in the evening
- Press the floor firmly.
Tips & Tricks
If you don't want to replant the leek bed immediately after harvesting, simply cut off the leek. Small bulbs then form, from which new plants emerge. The roots that remain in the ground also serve to improve the garden soil.