Leek – Blue Solaise
€2.95
Description
Leek – Blue Solaise is a traditional French variety that is extremely hardy. Deep blue/purple leaves. Plants are ready to harvest in March to May the following year.
Sowing:
May to June.
Sow 2 seeds per cell in modular trays and plant out 8-10 weeks after sowing without splitting up the seedlings.
Spacing:
Between rows: 45cm
Between plants in the row: 30cm (2 plants per station)
Plants are ready to harvest in March to May the following year.
Approx. seed count: 100
Growing leeks:
Leek – Blue Solaise
Latin name:
Allium porrum, or ampeloprasum
Family:
Alliaceae (commonly known as Alliums)
Leeks are one of the most popular winter vegetables and are perfectly suited to any outdoor conditions. In fact for most of the year leeks perform a lot better outside than under protection.
Therefore, this section is only for the die-hard leek lovers that can’t do without them in May and June.
Legend and lore:
The Emperor Nero is reported to have been nicknamed Porrophagus because of his inordinate appetite for leeks. He imagined that frequent eating of leeks improved his singing voice!
Soil and site:
Leek – Blue Solaise require a very fertile soil therefore, it should be enriched with plenty of farmyard manure or compost. The ideal pH range is between 6.5 – 7.5.
Sowing:
The seeds can be sown in modular trays in May to June. Also I generally sow two seeds per cell.
Planting:
Leek – Blue Solaise can be planted approximately 6 to 8 weeks after sowing in modular trays. The modules can be planted when the roots hold the compost together in the cells. Furthermore, the cells should not be split up and the two seedlings should be planted together.
Spacing:
Between plants: 30cm if two plants are planted together.
Between rows: 45cm.
Plant care:
As the plants grow, earth up the leeks with soil to blanch the stems. This simply means the covered part of the leek turns white. However, be careful that you don’t get soil into the heart of the leek.
Harvesting:
Leek – Blue Solaise is ready to harvest in late winter from February to late April. Trim off the roots at the base without cutting into the shank and trim the leaves so that they are the same length as the stem. Also, be careful not to scatter the soil into neighbouring leeks.
Potential problems:
Leek – Blue Solaise are relatively trouble free especially these quick growing early ones. Once ready however, you have to harvest them because otherwise they will bolt.
How much to grow?
You will get 18 leeks per square metre.
For more information have a look at my monthly newsletters on:
https://greenvegetableseeds.com/newsletters/
For information on organic certification:
Have a look at the Irish Garden magazine:
