Allium porrum

Cutworm. Pink rot (a fungal disease that causes the white stem to become pink and soft before rotting away).

Harvest by digging plants out when stems are about 20mm in diameter.

This vegetable is hardy enough to be left in the ground over winter.

Earth them up by covering the stem with soil every week, to obtain tall, white stems. Water regularly and feed every two weeks with liquid fertilizer.

Eastern Mediterranean

Sow seeds in seed boxes or trays, covered with 10mm of soil. Transplant seedlings when they are 200mm tall.Plant leeks into well prepared beds by dropping seedlings into 150mm deep holes made with a dibber and fill with water, without firming the soil around the seedling. Seedlings will quickly start growing.

The leek, is grown for its culinary utility.Its subtle onion flavor is invaluable for flavoring soups, stews, meat and egg dishes.

Fifty plants should be enough for a family of four, sow every four weeks in season.