Unfortunately, leeks have not become as widespread in our gardens as onions, and this is unfair. Compared to onions, leeks have their advantages.
During storage, it is able to accumulate ascorbic acid, while onions lose it over time. In addition, leeks are 2-3 times more productive than turnips and can be stored for about six months.
Description of culture
Leek is a perennial herbaceous plant, cultivated in a biennial crop. The plants do not form a true bulb, like onions. In the first year of life, a small white false bulb develops, which smoothly turns into a light green false stem (leg).
Depending on the variety and growing conditions, the false stem reaches from 10 to 35 cm in length and up to 10 cm in diameter. The leaves are flat, linear, in appearance they resemble garlic leaves, but are much larger (35-70 cm in length and 3-7 cm in width). Leaf color ranges from light to dark green.
How to grow leeks
This is a plant with a long growing season (up to 7 months), so it is often grown in seedlings. Seeds for seedlings are sown in March, since by the time of planting they should be 50-60 days old.
The containers are filled with a nutrient mixture and, on the eve of planting, they are well drained with water. Sow with dry seeds, placing rows at a distance of 4-5 cm from each other. Seed placement depth is 0.7-1.2 cm.
After sowing, the seeds are sent with a dry mixture, lightly compacted and watered, then the containers are covered with glass or film and the temperature is set at 20-25 °C, and after they appear, it is reduced for 3-4 days to 8-12 °C at night. It is necessary to ensure that the soil is not dry during the period of seedling growth, but waterlogging should not be allowed.
Seedlings are planted in open ground from approximately May 5 to May 15, 25-30 plants per 1 m2. In order for the seedlings to take root better, shorten the roots by 1/4 and the leaves by 1/3 of the length. Plants are buried down to the first leaf.
Leeks can be sown in summer, until July. By autumn, the plants will be able to form 4-6 leaves. Covered with earth, they overwinter well and the next year in May-June you can harvest.
Caring for leeks during the growing season is the same as for all onions - weeding, loosening the soil, watering as needed. Leeks respond well to feeding. On poor soils, you can carry out 1-2 fertilizing with mullein (1:8).
During the growing season, 2-3 hillings of plants are carried out. In hilled plants, the false stem becomes longer and has a more delicate taste. Leeks continue to grow leaves until late autumn. Adult plants are frost-resistant, tolerate frosts down to -7 ° C.
Harvest leeks before frost sets in. The plants are cleaned of damaged and dirty leaves, left in the air for a short time to dry, and the roots are trimmed to 1 cm and a third of the length of the leaves. Store in a cellar in damp sand at a temperature of 0-2 ° C or in the refrigerator.
Leeks can be eaten at any stage of development.
Leeks are a perennial plant with a two-year development cycle. Its homeland is considered to be the eastern regions of the Mediterranean coast, Iran, and Iraq. Found wild in Southern Europe.
Leeks have linear-lanceolate (flat) leaves with a strong waxy coating. Depending on the variety, from 6 to 15 leaves are formed, located in the same plane and fan-shaped from the false stem (leg), which can have a length of up to 60 cm and a diameter of up to 5-6 cm. The plant is very light and moisture-loving.
The most valuable part is the bleached base of the false stem, which has a slightly pungent taste and is a dietary product. Recommended for metabolic disorders, atherosclerosis, to improve liver function, for kidney stones, and obesity.
Agricultural technology
In the central zone, leeks are grown through seedlings. I sow seedlings in mid-February. Before sowing, I soak the seeds for 2-3 days, then dry them a little and sow them in boxes and cups.
In the literature, it is usually recommended to use boxes for leek seedlings. I noticed that seedlings grown in small cups (4 cm in diameter) are stronger, more powerful, and have one more leaf when planted in the ground, which is important. And when planting from a cup, the root system is not injured. As a result, larger plants are obtained from such seedlings.
The soil in the boxes and cups is light and humus. Before sowing, I compact it lightly, water it abundantly, and then sow the seeds. In boxes - at a distance of 2x2.5 cm, in cups - 3-4 seeds.
When growing seedlings, you need to carefully monitor soil moisture and air temperature. During the day I try to maintain the temperature at 18 - 20 C, at night 13 - 14 C.
Seedlings need regular watering and 1-2 feedings with complex mineral fertilizer.
I plant seedlings from May 1 to May 10. I first prepare a bed 20 cm high and 1 meter wide. Per square meter of bed I add 1-1.5 buckets of humus, 2-3 tablespoons of complex organic-mineral fertilizer and 2 cups of ash, and dig up the soil using a shovel full.
Using a garden scoop, I make trenches 15-20 cm deep across the bed at a distance of 40-50 cm from one another, and place the soil from the trenches between them. At the bottom of the trenches, I use a sharpened peg to make indentations every 15 cm.
I water the seedlings in the box generously and carefully take them out. I cut the leaves and roots to a third of their length. When planting plants, I press the soil tightly around the roots and lightly water them. The depth of planting onion seedlings is 1-2 cm.
I transfer the seedlings from the cups into the holes located every 20 cm. I do not touch the leaves and roots.
During the growing season, I regularly water the leeks with warm water. During the dry period, approximately once every 5 days, 15-20 liters per 1 m2.
I carry out the first fertilizing 15-20 days after planting the seedlings with complex mineral fertilizer. In the future, I fertilize every 2-3 weeks, alternating organic and organo-mineral fertilizers. I noticed that I especially like leek infusion of chicken manure (1:15).
To obtain the longest, juiciest, tender bleached stem possible, as the plants grow, I fill the trenches with soil from the inter-row spaces. When the trenches are filled with soil, I additionally cover the stems with soil.
Some varieties of leek have a very long stem. In this case, bleaching can be done using black material that is wrapped around the leg.
Unlike onions, leeks are almost never affected by diseases and pests. The leaves grow until late autumn, when other types of onions no longer produce greenery. Leeks can tolerate frosts down to -7 C.
I harvest leeks at the end of October, before the onset of stable frosts. I dig up the plants with a pitchfork, shake off the soil, cut the roots to 1 cm, and the leaves by one third.
For varieties with particularly large false stems, I leave the leaves 25-30 cm long, and shorten the roots to 2 cm.
After drying, I place the plants in tall boxes in a vertical position, cover them with damp sand and store them on a glassed-in loggia until spring.
About varieties
Of the varieties that I tested on my site, I would like to highlight Vesta and Goliath (early), Premier and Bandit (mid-late), Elephant and Karantansky (late). The mid-season variety Tango is very good - the length of the plant exceeds 1 m, and the weight reaches 1 kg.
But I think the best is the mid-season Dutch variety Columbus, which forms a long bleached part with minimal hilling up to 40 cm in length and up to 6 cm in width, and the weight last season ranged from 900 g to 1 kg 500 g. In addition, it has excellent taste.
In addition to the “Korlevsky” leek, I grow rare exotic crops in the garden: trichosanth, momordica, okra, benigngaza, kiwano, etc. I get not only a fruit harvest, but also a sufficient amount of seeds.
Leeks are often called the king of onions. It has a high content of dry matter (up to 25%), including up to 12% sugars, as well as ascorbic acid (up to 80%), carotene. Leeks contain up to 250 mg% potassium salts (for comparison, the onion bulb contains 175 mg% potassium).
Unlike onions, leeks are almost never affected by diseases and pests. In addition, leeks are one of the few vegetables that increase their vitamin C content when stored.
Dunichev Igor Gennadievich,
248031, Kaluga, st. Road,
34, apt. 163
Number of impressions: 7000
This bow is versatile. It is used fresh, many delicious dishes are prepared from it, salted, pickled, dried, frozen. It acts both as an independent product and as a seasoning and additive to vegetable preparations. The plant easily adapts to different environmental conditions: therefore it is widely cultivated all over the world, mainly in the temperate climate zone. Leeks are very popular in Western European countries and are valued there as an important supplier of vitamin C.
"Asparagus for the Poor Man"
So christened the leek writer Anatole France in the story “Krenkebil” (1901). Indeed, dishes with these onions can be even tastier than with asparagus!
Leeks are grown for the sake of the bleached false stem - the “leg”. Plants can be eaten at any stage of development. Tender young leaves with a mildly pungent taste are great for salads. Due to its high potassium content (up to 250 mg/100 g wet weight), leek helps to activate metabolism and is recommended to be included in the diet of overweight people. The low content of pungent essential oils allows the use of leek in dietary nutrition.
Raise heroes
Leeks are grown by direct sowing of seeds in the ground and through seedlings. To obtain marketable products (stem diameter ≥1.5 cm) a growing season of 6-7 months is required, so in our area it is better to grow leeks through seedlings. The seed crop is used mainly to produce bunches of greenery, which are harvested in July. The sowing date (several dates) is chosen depending on the harvest date.
Leeks develop well in many types of soil, provided they have a loose texture and high fertility. Medium loams are best suited. When preparing a site in the fall, be sure to dig up the soil to the depth of the arable layer.
Leeks are responsive to organic fertilizers, but manure or compost is applied under the previous crop. The best predecessors are cucumbers, cabbage, legumes, and early potatoes. Mineral fertilizers are applied in the spring.
Leeks are very sensitive to lack of moisture in the soil. During drought, plant growth stops, but after watering (at least 20 liters of water per 1 m2) it quickly resumes. Furrow irrigation is most effective.
Leeks are unpretentious: care comes down to weeding, loosening the soil, and hilling. It is also practiced to mulch plantings with peat, chopped dry straw or plant tops. This helps retain moisture and prevents the development of weeds. Leek plants develop slowly in the first half of the growing season, so in personal plots leeks are often grown in combined plantings, alternating with rows of radishes, lettuce and other green crops, as well as beets and even cucumbers.
Recruitment to the "guard"
Onions are harvested as needed until late autumn. Plants are dug up with a shovel or pitchfork, shaken off the ground and placed in boxes in an upright position or tied in bunches. It is advisable that during these operations the false stem does not become clogged with soil particles. Damaged and contaminated leaves are removed from the collected plants, the roots are trimmed to 1 cm in length and the leaves are trimmed by about one third. If necessary, leeks are washed and dried, after which they are packaged in nets, plastic bags or plastic boxes.
Due to their high dry matter content, leeks are an excellent drying material. Both the false stem, cut into rings, and the leaves are dried. At home, this can be done in a moderately heated oven or in a ventilated area at room temperature. Leeks are also canned and frozen.
To protect our health
Leeks, especially late varieties, are well stored, this is facilitated by the high dry matter content in the plants. When stored for up to three months, the chemical composition of the products remains virtually unchanged due to the outflow of nutrients from the leaves. Leeks have long been buried in river sand in cellars, where they were stored until the end of winter at a temperature close to 0 ° C and a relative humidity of about 80%. Such storage conditions help to avoid the regrowth of roots and leaves, as well as the stretching of plants.
One of the best ways to store leeks for a short time is in the refrigerator in plastic wrap. Before storing, the plants are sorted, cooled to storage temperature, then packed in perforated plastic bags of 5-7 pieces. (up to 1.5 kg). The optimal storage temperature is from - 2 to 2 °C, with a relative humidity of about 80%. It is advisable to maintain the temperature at a constant level. Leeks can be stored on the balcony for a short time. At temperatures down to -5 °C, plants do not freeze, but frozen leeks are also quite suitable for culinary processing. However, it is better to prevent thawing and re-icing of products.
Leeks are often called the king of onions. This is a perennial plant with a two-year development cycle. It was introduced into culture by man a long time ago. It was grown in Ancient Egypt and was widely consumed by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Currently, it is grown in large quantities in Western European countries, the USA and Canada.
Outwardly, it looks like broadleaf garlic. In the first year, it forms a rosette of leaves, the lower parts of which close together, forming a bleached false stem - the main productive part of the plant, up to 50 cm long and up to 3-4 cm in diameter. Its leaves grow until late autumn, when other onions no longer produce greenery.
Depending on the variety, an adult plant has 6-13 flat, linear leaves located in the same plane and fan-shaped from the false stem. In the second year it throws out an arrow up to 150 cm high or more.
Leeks are quite cold-resistant; when covered with snow, they can withstand wintering in open ground and freezing down to minus 5-6°C. If there is no snow, then at a temperature of minus 15°C it dies.
Of the leek varieties, the most common is the old Karantansky variety, which is characterized by significantly higher frost resistance. It winters well with sufficient snow cover or covered with straw, but is demanding on soil fertility. The height of its false stem (“leg”) reaches 30 cm with a thickness of up to 6 cm.
For cultivation in our conditions, early varieties Bulgarian giant, Goliath, Kilima, Lincoln, mid-early varieties Columbus and Lancelot, mid-season varieties Argenta, Vesta, Sizokryl and Tango, mid-late varieties Autumn Giant and Premier, etc. are well suited. The weight of individual plants in the Columbus and Autumn Giant varieties reaches 400 g.
To grow leeks, well-lit fertile areas with a deep arable layer are selected, where large doses of organic fertilizers were applied to the predecessors. Acidic soils are generally unsuitable for it. It is very demanding on fertilizers, especially nitrogen.
In the fall, the site is dug up to a depth of at least 25 cm, after adding 1 square meter of soil. meter, 1 bucket of rotted manure or compost, two liter jars of rotted sawdust, 1.5 tbsp. spoons of superphosphate, 1 tbsp. a spoonful of potassium sulfate (chlorine fertilizers cannot be used). In the spring, add another 1 teaspoon of ammonium nitrate before harrowing.
Leek seeds retain the ability to germinate for only one year. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain fresh seeds every year.
The growing season of leeks is very long (up to 180 days), so even in the central regions they are grown as seedlings. In this case, it is very important to observe the temperature regime: before germination 22-24°C, the first week after germination 15-17°C during the day and 12°C at night, then before planting in the ground 17-20°C during the day and 10-14°C at night.
At higher temperatures, the risk of flower shoot formation increases already in the first year. Under favorable conditions, leeks, as biennial plants, form a flower arrow only in the second year of life after overwintering.
In the middle zone, it is better to grow leeks as seedlings without picking in peat-humus pots or cubes.
But it is often grown in greenhouses, sowing seeds at the end of April under additional film cover. After 6 weeks, the young seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place. By the time the seedlings are planted, they should have three leaves. Before planting, the seedlings are watered, and then the leaves and roots are cut to a third of their length. In this case, it is useful to dip the roots in a mixture of clay and mullein.
Seedlings are planted in previously prepared furrows 10-12 cm deep with a distance between them of 35 cm and between plants of 15-18 cm. The bottom of such a trench should be well loosened and fertilized with well-rotted manure or compost. But leeks do not like fresh manure. After such planting, the furrows remain half filled.
Caring for leeks consists of regular watering, fertilizing, and loosening the soil. The first fertilizing is carried out 15 days after planting the seedlings, and then every 15 days, alternating organic and organomineral fertilizers. Leeks especially love the infusion of chicken manure.
The most important technique is gradual hilling - a necessary operation to obtain a tender stem. To do this, as the plant grows, the furrow is filled in, hilling up the plant, and at the beginning of August, a second, real hilling is carried out, filling the stem to the level of the first true leaf.
This is necessary so that the lower part of the stem becomes white and juicy. After the second hilling, new grooves are created between the rows (like potatoes), which can be used for watering.
Some varieties of leek have a very long stem. In this case, bleaching can be done using a black film that is wrapped around the stem of the plant.
Unlike onions, leeks are almost never affected by diseases and pests. Leeks do not have a summer rest period; their leaves grow until late autumn, when other species no longer produce greenery.
Therefore, from July until the end of the growing season, plants are in great need of water, so they are watered abundantly 3-4 times. In July, ripe compost is poured around the plants and lightly incorporated into the soil. Feeding with slurry (1:10) is also good. Pure nitrogen fertilizers should not be applied to the soil at this time. Before the onset of frost, preventing the leaves from yellowing, dig up the leeks, cut off the roots and outer leaves. Store it in the basement in a vertical or semi-inclined position in sand at a temperature of 0-1°C and air humidity of 90%. In this form it is stored for 5-6 months.
At home, leeks can be stored for up to 2 months in open plastic bags, and leeks that have been pre-cooled and then packaged in plastic bags can be stored in the refrigerator for a long time.
Leeks have a rich chemical composition. The dry matter content in it reaches 15%, incl. sugars - up to 4.8%, proteins - up to 2.8% (much more than in regular onions), fiber - up to 1.5%. The content of vitamins in it is almost the same as in onions - “C” - up to 40 mg%, “B1” - 0.1 mg%, “E” - 2 mg%, etc. But unlike most plants, the content of vitamin C during winter storage in the bleached false stem not only does not decrease, but even increases.
Leeks contain a lot of different mineral salts: potassium - 220 mg%, calcium - 50 mg%, magnesium - 14 mg%, phosphorus - 60 mg%, iron - up to 4 mg%.
Another richness of leeks is the presence in them of a large amount of essential oils with a characteristic odor, which contain a significant amount of sulfur. These oils stimulate appetite, increase the secretion of gastric juice, and inhibit fermentation and putrefactive processes in the intestines. They regulate intestinal function, improve liver and gallbladder function. That is why leeks are very useful in dietary nutrition.
Due to the high content of potassium salts, leeks have a strong diuretic effect, have the ability to purify the blood, and are used in the treatment of rheumatism, gout, etc.
The most valuable part of the plant is the bleached base of the false stem, which has a slightly pungent taste and is a dietary product.
Fresh leek juice is taken orally, starting with 1 teaspoon and gradually increasing it to 1 tablespoon, 2-3 times a day 15-20 minutes before meals for kidney and bladder stones, gastritis with low acidity, flu, sore throat, bronchitis, etc.
Inhalation of leek vapor is useful for flu, bronchitis and sore throat. It should be done 2-3 times a day for 7-8 minutes. An infusion of leeks in milk is a good remedy for coughs. To do this, boil the bleached false stem of one plant along with the roots in 1 glass of milk and leave in a warm place for 4 hours. Take 1 tablespoon of the decoction every 2 hours.
But leeks are especially necessary for metabolic disorders associated with age-related changes, and for people suffering from excess weight and diabetes.
For the treatment and prevention of diabetes, an infusion of leeks in wine is used. To prepare it, bleached false stems of two plants need to be poured with 0.5 liters of dry red wine and left to stand in a dark, cool place for 10-12 days, shaking occasionally. Take 0.25 cups 30-40 minutes after meals.
Leeks also find their use in cosmetics. Juice from the bleached false stem is rubbed onto the skin of the face to improve blood circulation, smooth out wrinkles, and remove freckles and blackheads. After 12-15 procedures, the skin is renewed and acquires a beautiful color.
It is believed that leeks came from the Mediterranean, and were especially loved by the ancient Romans. Nero preferred to eat it with butter; such a mixture, according to the emperor, gave a special timbre and strength to his voice. And Marcus Valerius Marcione, an ancient Roman singer of the pre-Christian era, dedicated epigrams of his composition to leeks, in which he praised its healing properties. Leeks are widely used in cooking in America and Western Europe, but in the last decade they have confidently taken their place on our table.
Leek is a biennial plant of the Onion family, similar in appearance to leek, but with thicker stems; it is grown for its feathers. Externally, the plant resembles garlic; the stem and leaves have a similar shape, but are significantly larger in size. And just like garlic, leeks are used everywhere in food and for treatment. The main value is the white part of the stem, which does not have a round head, but only thickens towards the bottom. Green stems can be eaten while they are young, after which they become tough and practically unusable. Plants may differ slightly in appearance: winter onions are characterized by a short, thick stem, while summer onions are characterized by an elongated and thin stem.
The white part of the leek contains up to 24% dry matter, the leaves - up to 17%. This type of onion is rich in vitamins C, B1, B2, PP, minerals (K, Ca, P) and trace elements (zinc, manganese, selenium). From 100 g of product our body can get 40 kcal. Leeks are also convenient to store; they can be dried, frozen, or canned.
For dietary nutrition, this type of onion is valuable due to its low (compared to onions) content of essential oils. It has almost all the beneficial and healing properties of onions, and can be eaten by people with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Biological features
Leeks are cold-resistant enough that they can be cultivated in all regions of Russia. In the year of planting, a rosette and a false stem are formed in the form of a white or light green bulb, covered with one or two film scales. Its size, depending on the variety, can be from 2 to 6 cm in height and from 2 to 7 cm in diameter.
The dark green leaves have a slight waxy coating, reach a length of 90 cm and a width of 3 to 6 cm. Closer to the root, the leaves tightly close into a stem, the length of which can reach up to 60 cm. The weight of one plant averages 200-300 G.
At the beginning of its development, leeks need intense light and long daylight hours. In southern latitudes, the plant can be left in the ground for the winter without any shelter and removed from there as needed.
The following summer, the plants form a flower arrow, at the end of which there is a spherical umbrella. It can contain up to 900 small bell-shaped flowers of white or lilac color. They appear towards the end of summer, so the seeds rarely have time to ripen under natural conditions in middle and northern latitudes, but they ripen well during storage and can produce a good onion harvest for several years. When stored at low temperatures, in addition to buds, aerial bulbs appear on the peduncle, which are also well suited for propagation.
Leeks have a powerful root system that tolerates any manipulation well. Interestingly, leeks are the only member of the allium family that does not have a dormant period. Unlike other types of green onions, leeks provide tasty and healthy greens until late autumn, easily tolerating frosts up to 7 degrees. But if you intend to use the crop for storage, you should not delay harvesting too much.
For different regions of Russia, you can use varieties that correspond to climatic conditions.
- Early ripening - Goliath, Vesta.
- Middle early - Lancelot, Kilima.
- Mid-season - Tango, Casimir.
- Middle late – Premier, Asgeos.
- Late ripening - Karantansky.
Leeks - cultivation and care
- Crop rotation. It is better to choose light sandy loam or black soil for planting. It is optimal to place the plant in the place where winter crops were harvested. Areas where early cabbage and potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, and perennial herbs grew are also suitable. As a precursor, leeks are very convenient because they are suitable for almost all vegetable crops. The only one he is not friends with is his closest relative, garlic. It is advisable to return the onion to its original place no earlier than after 3-4 years. When replanting, the number of pests and diseased plants increases noticeably.
- Soil cultivation. For leeks, soils with a neutral reaction, loamy or sandy loam are preferred. Manure is applied as a fertilizer, and this can be done in the fall before plowing or even before planting the previous crop. But the norms for spending in the fall are almost twice as high. In spring, cultivate per 1 sq.m. you need 2-3 kg of humus plus ammonium nitrate 15-20 g, superphosphate - 30-40 g and potassium salt 15-20 g.
- Seed preparation. The technology for treating (disinfecting) leek seeds involves the same actions as with cabbage seeds. Right before planting, the seeds are dipped in hot water up to 45 degrees, then in cold water. Sprout on a cloth soaked in warm water and leave for 2-3 days. Then they are slightly dried and sown. For seeds sold in stores, preliminary preparation is usually not required. Also, soaking and germination are not required if winter sowing of leeks is planned.
- Growing seedlings. Leeks ripen late, so in the northern latitudes of our country, growing leeks is only possible through seedlings. Seed consumption per square meter is 8-10 g. Leeks are planted for seedlings in early March. Seeds germinated for 5-6 days are sown in boxes filled with a soil mixture consisting of: 1 part sand, 4 parts sawdust, 12 parts peat. For small volumes, you can replace the boxes with small pots in which 2-3 seeds are sown. Before germination, the optimal temperature is 22 degrees; immediately after the first sprouts appear, the pots or boxes are moved to a cooler room with a temperature of 18-20 degrees. Seedlings should be fed with a fertilizer solution in the following proportions - 15 g of ammonium nitrate, the same amount of potassium, 20 g of superphosphate per 10 liters of water.
Seedlings can be planted in open ground after about 1.5-2 months, in the first half of May. Prepare ridges with furrows 10-12 cm deep. Plants also require preparation - their leaves are cut off by 25% and roots by 30%. The planting pattern may vary depending on the characteristics and size of the site.
- Sowing seeds in the ground. Leeks can also be grown by direct sowing in the ground in the southern regions of the country. In this case, sowing is carried out in March-April. The exact date depends on the variety and weather conditions. Plant in rows with a distance of 60-70 cm between them. Seed calculation is 0.8-1 g per square meter. The sowing depth depends on the soil and ranges from 1.5 to 2.5 cm. When the plants are overgrown with one or two leaves, they are thinned out; this is done a second time when there are already 3-4 leaves. Ultimately, leave a distance of 10-15 cm between plants in the row.
- Care. In order to get the maximum white part of the stem, plants are hilled 2-3 times during the growing season. This also achieves the best taste of the false stem. Weeding, watering and fertilizing also have a good effect on the harvest. Leeks respond well to a mullein solution in a ratio of 1:8 or fertilizer based on bird droppings (1:20). If only mineral fertilizers are available, use nitroammophoska 20-30 g per 10 liters of water.
- Irrigation. To correctly calculate the frequency of watering and the amount of moisture plants need, one should proceed from the composition of the soil, the location of the site and weather conditions. In other words, it is necessary to correctly determine the soil water availability and moisture content at the current moment.
If the average temperature per day does not exceed 15 degrees, watering is not performed. The water temperature for irrigation should not be lower than 15-18 degrees. The optimal time is morning and evening. The main methods of irrigation: drip irrigation and sprinkling.
- Drip irrigation is the most progressive method of irrigation today. Moisture is evenly distributed throughout all plants and goes straight to the roots. In addition, this method is convenient for high-quality feeding of plants. It allows you to accurately dose the amount of mineral fertilizers supplied to each plant. Accordingly, the growth and condition of plants are also under constant control and at the same time, funds for fertilizers are saved. Soil pest control agents can also be added to drip irrigation water. The only drawback of this method is the installation of appropriate equipment and its cost, but over time everything pays off with a good harvest.
- Sprinkling also distributes moisture evenly among plants and makes it possible to correctly regulate watering rates. But due to the fact that the air is oversaturated with moisture, diseases spread faster with this method. In addition, when sprinkling, there is a possibility of exceeding irrigation norms, and this, in turn, causes secondary salinization of the soil. Over time, such soil becomes unsuitable for further use for agricultural purposes.
- Cleaning. Leeks can be harvested for storage in mid-autumn, with the plants first dug up. It is recommended to store in a dry basement at a temperature of 1 degree, lightly digging the plants into damp sand. For summer consumption of leeks, you can start digging much earlier, in August, removing them through the row.
“Onions cure seven ailments,” our grandmothers said, and this phrase has the most direct relation to the main character of the article. Grow and eat leeks and forget about all diseases!
