Autumn leek Herfstreuzen 2 is a very strong and very hardy variety and it produces large, slender white stems with blueish - green leaves. It originates from Italy. This leek variety is also known as Giant D'Inverno. This very hardy variety can witstand even the harshest winters and can be harvested till the beginning of the spring. Can be frozen to store.
Leek is a very healthy and versatile vegetable. Leek contains a.o.: vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, B11, C and K. And the minerals: calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphor, potassium, sodium and zinc. It also contains a lot of fibre, nutrients and little calories. The concentration of healthy nutrients is highest in the green part of the leeks. You can cook, stir-fry, stew, braise, cook in the oven, steam and add it to soups, stews, Indonesian fried rice dishes and bami, mashed potato stews, casseroles and as a vegetable. The flavour of leek combines very well with a.o.: garlic, chicken, beef, pork, minced meat, tuna-fish, salmon, cheese, potatoes, apple, eggs, onions, parsley, lemon, curry powder, ginger, nutmeg, chillies, soy sauce, oregano, dill, pasta and red wine. Leek is also very delicious in combination with several other vegetables like: lettuce, carrots, sweet peppers, courgette, tomatoes, broccoli, celeriac, sweet corn and spinach. Hardy annual.
Soaking: 24 hours
Indoor sowing: February - March
Outdoor sowing under glass: beginning of March - beginning of April
Outdoor sowing: beginning of April - beginning of May
Germination: 14 - 18 days
Germinationtemp.: 15 - 26 °C
Sowing depth: 1 - 1½ cm
Plant distance: 20 cm
Transplanting outdoors: end of May - middle of July
Plant position: sunny
Harvestperiod: end of July - middle of May
The sowing of leek is divided in 2 different groups: summer- and early autumn sowings or late autumn- and early winter sowings. This sowing guide is for the late autumn- and early wintersowing.
Sow indoors from February on. Sow in loose, airy and moist potting soil. Sow in trays and cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. You can soak the seeds for a better and quicker germination approx. 24 hours prior to sowing in tepid water. Keep moist and warm. Make sure the temperature is as even as possible and don't let the temperature drop during the night. Harden the seedlings of, by putting them outdoors during the day for 10 - 14 days from the beginning of May, when there's no longer any danger of nightfrosts. After this you can put the seedlings, when they're about as thick and as long as a pencil, outdoors in the soil. Remove 1/3 of the top and 1/3 of the roots to stimulate the growth.
You can sow outdoors under glass from the beginning of March. Sow in trays filled with loose, airy and moist potting soil. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. After this you can do the same as with the indoor sowing.
Sow outdoors from the beginning of April. Choose a sunny plot with good, loose, airy and moisture retaining soil. Sow thinly and cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. Keep them approx. 20 cm apart. Put the seedlings, when they're about as thick and as long as a pencil, outdoors on their permanent spot. Remove 1/3 of the top and 1/3 of the roots to stimulate the growth. Put them in a hole approx. 5 cm wide and 10 - 15 cm deep. Keep them approx. 20 cm apart. Pour water in the holes to wash the roots. You need to earth the stems of the leeks up, to maintain a nice white lower part of the stems. Be careful you don't put soil between the leaves of your leeks.
Late autumn- and early winter leek needs a lot of time to grow. Harvest these leeks from the end of July till the middle of May, in the following year. This leek has a good resistance against cold and frost and is kept on the land. Harvest the leeks a fresh as possible and use a pitchfork to get them carefully out of the soil. These leeks can be frozen to store.
