onions and leeks question

Why do you need to differentiate them?

Just plant each tray/pot load in a separate row.

As they grow, the onions will develop tubular hollow leafs whilst the leeks will develop flat leaves.

Ed

Except that they are planted differently. Leeks should ideally be dropped into a hole so the base is a few inches below the soil level to give a good white stem. Onions are planted level with the soil.

How about just planting them as onion. Then hill the leeks similar to white asparagus. Sounds like extra work though why not reseed the leeks ? How many plants are we talking about 50 or 50000.

Bill

Leeks aren't to be planted until they are about the diameter of a No.2 school pencil, and then they are placed in a trench which is slowly filled in to give the blanched portion of the leek.

They can also be planted deep using a dibble and then compost, mulch, etc (you know the routine) added....to accomplish the same end.

Charlie

That is how I do it, seems a lot less bother than a trench. I dib a deep hole and drop the leek into it, sometimes only the tip of the leek is still above ground level. I do not back fill the hole though and just leave it. It has always worked well for me. Some earth usually tumbles back in the hole over the coming weeks anyway or the leek grows to fill out the hole. I grow a couple of hundred leeks this way every year - we like leek soup :-)

Why is that? What would be the problem if they were planted when they had a much smaller diameter, say, like a cocktail stick?

Ed

Don't think it's a diameter problem really, except diameter has a relationship with length. (Usually the greater the diameter of the leek, the greater it's length. This is the way I've seen it presented in books. Basing it on length would avoid the confusion that we are discussing now.) You want 5 - 6 inches of the plant in the ground to produce the blanched (white) base of the leek.

Thank you for a very clear answer. I will in future base my decisions on the leeks having about 6 inches of growth before transplanting out.

Ed

That's essentially how I plant leeks. I prepare the soil with compost alfalfa and then mulch with a few layers of newsprint and a thick layer of straw. I then dibble a hole and drop my transplant into it. The tip of the transplant will usually be below the top of the straw. No backfilling, just pour a bit of water (mixed with kelp) into the hole.

Other than pulling the occasional wheat or elm seedling (I wish that tree would just DIE!) there is not much more to do than wait until fall.

I love leeks baked with a little butter...nicely carmelized...yummmm

Leeks are marvelous. We like potato/leek soup. I also read about steaming the tops last year and they are also good. One account said they tasted like asparagus, but I don't think they do.

Charlie

Yousek Roadsinger AKA Cat Stevens has some new music about

Oh leek stuff below.

Bill

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Xref: sn-us rec.food.recipes:87667 Path: sn-us!sn-feed-sjc-02!sn-us!sn-feed-sjc-03!sn-xt-sjc-11!sn-xt-sjc-09!sn-xt

-sjc-13!supernews.com!nx01.iad01.newshosting.com!newshosting.com!news.alt .net!feeder.nmix.net!216.184.2.11.MISMATCH!iruka!not-for-mail From: snipped-for-privacy@simpleinternet.com (International Recipes OnLine) Newsgroups: rec.food.recipes Subject: Fire Roasted Corn Chowder with Chipotle Followup-To: rec.food.cooking, rec.food.recipes Date: Mon, 6 Aug 2007 00:58:48 +0000 (UTC) Organization: International Recipes OnLine Lines: 48 Approved: snipped-for-privacy@swcp.com Message-ID: Reply-To: snipped-for-privacy@simpleinternet.com (International Recipes OnLine) NNTP-Posting-Host: yagi.swcp.com X-Trace: iruka.swcp.com 1186361928 4084 216.184.2.43 (6 Aug 2007

Fire Roasted Corn Chowder with Chipotle

submitted by butterflydog

I made this soup without pork or bacon just using more olive oil and it came out great. I also used smoked paprika since I try to find recipes that use it ! Remove most of corn husks from corn except for a layer or two, Roast corn on a hot grill turning 1/4 turn every 3 minutes or so till kernels are caramelized ( browned ). Do the same with the bell pepper. Remove corn from grill and let cool. Then with sharp knife scrape kernels into a bowl. In a stockpot over medium heat, add oil and saute pork or bacon, garlic, onion and leek until beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Skin bell pepper and dice. In a blender or food processor, puree half the corn with half the stock. To the stockpot add the pureed mixture, remaining stock, cream, remaining corn, cilantro, diced bell pepper, salt, black pepper and chipole pepper. Simmer over medium heat for

Yield: 8 to 10 servings. Source: Bob Blumer, The Surreal Gourmet

Oh so nice, and thanks for the tip!!! I didn't know this one. Found one of those Youtube things for those interested, as I am. Sigh...another on the list......

It saddens me that he was denied entrance to the U$ on account of his name and faith.

Several of my favorites:

Cat --> mp3 player --> ears --> garden after dark

Oh lordie, all things chipotle are wunnerful. Leeks *and* chipotle. And bacon! THis looks GOOD.

Yusuf was on the Tonight Show the other night. Very nice performance. I found this:

Thank you for this. I think I'll see if I can find the interview somewhere, as Jay mentions his children at the end....

Nice way to start the day. The sun is shining, though very cool for this time of year in these here parts and outdoor projects beckon. We had three inches of rain yesterday, so playing in the dirt is out for a bit.

Care Charlie

"Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven Like the first dewfall, on the first grass Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden Sprung in completeness where his feet pass"

Eleanor Farjeon, As Sung by Cat Stevens

We just use a dibble and drop in the leek, we don't fill it in; watering always releases a little soil.

Judith

Thanks for your method, which is the same as Pat's. Simple is best.

I *used* to back fill the hole...no longer will take the time for that! :-) I'm also thinking the same method will work for onion seedlings. Green onions/scallions should develop a nice long white shank this way.

Charlie

Interesting as leek culture got me thinking they do not exist in the wild. Stuff casting out seeds and a few manage to produce replicates. So a pointed hole and a young plant and the chances increase. Thank you Judith

Bill below permanent leek beds New to me!!

I'm afraid you're mistaken, Bill. Ramps are wild leaks. They are strongly flavored, but leaks nonetheless. Steve