Leek, the cultivation of which is on a par with onions and rightfully competes with it in taste and vitamin qualities. So, for example, leek contains more vitamins C, B, carotene and potassium salts. And also to grow it is much easier, because it is not picky about the soil and is very resistant to various diseases. And its productivity is much higher than that of onions.
This is a biennial plant with garlic-like leaves. In the first year of life, it releases a leg, the so-called false stem, which is eaten. And, of course, the leaves of an adult plant, especially young ones, are used for food. The methods of its use are the most diverse - in raw form, in salad under oil, in soups, etc. And if you boil it and fry it in oil, then it is in no way inferior to sea kale in its taste and vitamin qualities. Being seasoned with sauce or mayonnaise, this is an excellent side dish for meat or fish dishes.
Leek growing and hoopoe is not complicated. How is leek grown? Of course, it is not picky about soil, however, leeks will yield the best yield on fertilized or well-moistened sandy soil.
If the soil is poor, fertilize as follows per 1 sq. Km. m 3-4 kg of compost and 130 g of mineral fertilizers.
Leek growing at home
Loop leeks can easily be grown at home. To do this, you will need a box filled with earth. Humus is best. Before sowing seeds, you need to tamp the earth a little and water it well. This is best done at the end of March. Seeds can be sown in two ways: solid and row. When sowing in a horizontal method, small grooves should be sprinkled with a thin layer of sand (not more than 0.5 cm) or light soil, and then covered with a film and kept at a temperature of 22-25 º.
Until the first shoots appear, the boxes must be kept in the room, and then taken out to the greenhouse or greenhouse. In the first week of May, seedlings can be planted in the ground. Leek growing, which is why many like it because it is not afraid of cooling and temporary frosts.
However, do not forget about an important nuance. Seedlings before planting in the ground must be hardened and for this take the box to fresh open air and leave it for a couple of days in a place protected from direct sunlight. This is necessary so that subsequently the plant does not get sick from a sharp jump in temperature.
Onion seeds and growing
Onion cultivation and care, which is not so simple, can be grown from seed. However, in my opinion, it is more interesting to cultivate the sowing itself. The complexity of the process of growing onion sets is frightening and repulsing many, but anyone who is interested can easily grow onion sets in their own country house.
A month before sowing seeds, you need to check the seeds for germination for this 15-30 seeds are wrapped for two weeks in a damp cloth.
Onion seeds before sowing can be eliminated in the future from fungal diseases by lowering the seeds wrapped in gauze in hot water 45-55º for 10 - 15 minutes. Then it is immediately cooled in cold water for about a minute. And after a day in warm water.
Onion sevok is best planted in an open sunny place. It is good if potatoes, tomatoes or cabbage previously grew on this land - they are excellent predecessors for onions.
Seeds are planted with ribbons of a convenient width for you, the main thing is that the distance between the lines is 10 cm. This is the key to convenience in the care of seedlings. Seeds are planted to a depth of 1cm. Then gently compact the ground and pour out of the watering can.
Remember that onion sets sprouts slowly and therefore it needs to be covered with a film. To do this, it is better to pull it on arcs, the height of which does not exceed 30 cm. The onion covered with a film will rise much faster, and the moisture will remain better.
If sowing has been done often enough, be sure to thin the onions.
You can water onion sets once a week, if the weather is hot, then 2 times. An important condition for caring for sowing is loosening the soil and timely removal of weeds.
Onions are harvested in early August, the first sign of ripening is yellowed tops.
The onions are dug up, dried and sorted by size for easy storage. Onion sets are stored at a temperature of 16-18 º.