If you, like me, are a big fan of leeks, follow my example - grow this wonderful vegetable in your garden. In my post, I will tell you which varieties are best suited for the Moscow region.
Why leeks are good
Once having tasted pearl onions (also called leeks among the people), I was pleasantly surprised by its delicate and slightly sweet taste. And this is not surprising, because this kindred onion was present at the tables of the European nobility even in the Middle Ages.
And today leeks are widely used in the creation of culinary masterpieces. He is very much loved by French chefs. They add it to fresh salads and other dishes instead of onions.
Knowing about all the virtues of leeks, it is a sin not to allocate several beds for it in your country house. So I thought and started growing this wonderful vegetable crop.
The best varieties
For a dozen years, dedicated to the cultivation of leek in my own personal plot, I figured out which varieties are the best for the Moscow region.
All varieties of this vegetable can be conditionally subdivided into 2 groups:
- early and mid-season varieties (ripening period - from 80 to 130 days);
- mid-late and late (from 160 to 200 days).
The first type of leek is distinguished by a thick white leg and large flat leaves that have a light green color. The second is characterized by a short stem and thin leaves of a rich green color with a bluish tint.
In the list of the best early and mid-season varieties with a weak bulb, I included:
- Goliath. The crop ripens in 120 days. The variety is high-yielding. The stems are tall and thick. Their white part (the same leg that is so valued by culinary experts) reaches 28 cm. The leaves are characterized by a green color with a grayish tint, average width and length. The vegetable of this variety pleases with excellent taste, but it is very demanding in care. The variety does not have strong immunity.
- Columbus. The crop can be harvested already 85 days after sowing. The variety is high-yielding. The stems are tall and thick. Their white part reaches 30 cm in length. The leaves are medium in height and width, light green in color. Plants do not need hilling, they are cold-resistant. The vegetable of this variety has a pleasant taste, in which there is a small speck.
- Vesta. Ripens in 120 days. The variety is high-yielding. The stems are tall but not very thick. The height of their white part is from 25 to 50 cm. The leaves are long and wide, light green in color. In the list of Vesta's advantages, I would include her strong immunity, heat and winter hardiness. Plants are demanding to care for, need hilling and feeding. This leek variety is tasty and sweet.
- Tango. The crop ripens in 115 days. The variety is high-yielding. The stems are short, but thick enough. The size of their white part does not exceed 15 cm. Leaves are characterized by medium width and length, rich green color. Plants of this variety are not afraid of cold, pests, fungal diseases. Leek Tango has a pleasant taste, in which there is a speck.
I consider the best medium-late and late pearl onions:
- Karantansky. Ripens in 200 days. It is advisable to grow it through seedlings. I plant it in the beds and as a winter crop. The variety is high-yielding. Plants are medium-sized with thick stems. The white part reaches 25 cm. The leaves are long (up to 1 m), gray-green in color. The taste is moderately spicy.
- Alligator. The crop ripens in 160 days. The variety is high-yielding. The stems are tall and fairly thick. The size of the white leg is 30 cm. Leaves are characterized by medium width and length, gray-green color. The taste of this leek variety is remarkably pleasant, with a slightly noticeable speck. The greens have a spicy aroma reminiscent of garlic.
- Premiere. The crop ripens in 160 days. The variety is high-yielding. The stems are of medium height and thickness. Their white part reaches 20 cm in height. The leaves are moderately wide, medium length, bluish-green in color and the presence of a waxy coating on them. The variety is winter-hardy. The taste is excellent, with a slight spice.
Do you grow leeks? What varieties do you prefer?
Read also: Effective ways to deal with slugs in the garden
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#leek#onion varieties#onion description and care