Leeks for Container Vegetable Gardening

By SongofJoy
January 17, 2013

Are you a container gardener who wants to grow more vegetables? Looking for an onion flavor without the heartburn? The mild and sweet leek may be your answer.

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Jan 19, 2013 2:13 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Debra
Garland, TX (NE Dallas suburb) (Zone 8a)
Rescue dogs: Angels with paws needi
Dragonflies Dog Lover Bookworm I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Photography Bee Lover
Plays in the sandbox Butterflies Region: Texas Garden Sages I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member
Love that idea, Carol. Thumbs up
It’s okay to not know all the answers.
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Jan 19, 2013 11:50 PM CST
Name: shirlee
southeast (Zone 6b)
Daylilies Hybridizer Seed Starter Pollen collector Garden Photography Garden Ideas: Level 1
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I've never bought them, but they may help the flavor of my potato soup.
Thanks for the idea. Gonna try some this year.
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Jan 29, 2013 8:20 PM CST
Name: Jessica
Saylorsburg, PA (Zone 6a)
Charter ATP Member
Great to find another way to grow leeks! Thanks for the tip!
I discovered accidentally that I could overwinter leeks in my Zone 6A when I got the seedlings in too late so the plants weren't big enough to harvest come fall. I mulched them heavily and prayed. Sure enough they were big and strong the next spring and I let them go as long as possible before they started to form seed heads. You must harvest them before that happens. They were delicious. I have done this for two years in a row and am trying it again. So far despite our bitter one digit temps they look great.

Please keep in mind that leeks do have a long growing season. Any good vegetable seed company will carry leeks. Some to consider are Fedco, Scheepers, Johnny's Selected Seeds, Territorial Seed, Victory Seed, Pinetree, Sand Hill Preservation, Diane's Seeds, etc!

Here's an inspiration to grow your own leeks. This is the best vichyssoise soup ever although the whipping cream may kill you!!

Classic Vichyssoise For 4

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon butter
3 leeks, bulb only, sliced into rings
1 onion, sliced (preferably sweet)
5 potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
1 bay leaf
5 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
Snipped chives for garnish (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large stock pot melt butter over low heat. Add leeks and onion, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.

2. Add potatoes and season with salt and pepper. Add thyme, marjoram, bay leaf and stir well. Cover pot and continue to cook for 12 minutes.

3. Add chicken stock and bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook, partially covered for 30 minutes.

4. Puree soup in blender or food processor and cool.

5. Prior to serving add cream. If you are serving this soup warm you need to reheat the soup slowly so that the cream does not change consistency.
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Jan 29, 2013 10:32 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Debra
Garland, TX (NE Dallas suburb) (Zone 8a)
Rescue dogs: Angels with paws needi
Dragonflies Dog Lover Bookworm I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Garden Photography Bee Lover
Plays in the sandbox Butterflies Region: Texas Garden Sages I sent a postcard to Randy! Charter ATP Member
Thank you, Jessica. Thumbs up
It’s okay to not know all the answers.
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Jan 30, 2013 4:15 AM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
The recipe looks delicious, Jessica. Always glad to hear about other leek fans! I tip my hat to you.
I garden for the pollinators.
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Jan 30, 2013 6:49 AM CST
Name: Christine
North East Texas (Zone 7b)
Shine Your Light!
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Hi Tee, for some reason I lost this thread Shrug! but I will let you know how it goes. Pressure is sometimes a good kick in the rear for me to get something done! So thank you! Hilarious!

Thumbs up Jessica, thank you for the recipe, it looks very delicious.
May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day --Native American Proverb

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Jan 31, 2013 10:47 AM CST
Surprisingly GREEN Pittsburgh (Zone 6a)
Rabbit Keeper Bee Lover Cat Lover Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Butterflies Hummingbirder
Dog Lover Birds Plant and/or Seed Trader Bulbs Echinacea Irises
I don't have a photo where I can find it, but lately on Pinterest, there has been a lot of pinning about produce you can regrow from grocery scraps on your windowsill....

Green onions are the one I see most often.
You can grow them in a jar of water.

Think leeks would work that way?
SHOW ME YOUR CRITTERS! I have a critter page over at Cubits. http://cubits.org/crittergarde...
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Jan 31, 2013 11:56 AM CST
Name: Carole
Clarksville, TN (Zone 6b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages Plant Identifier I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! I helped plan and beta test the plant database. Avid Green Pages Reviewer
I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar Garden Ideas: Master Level Cat Lover Birds Region: Tennessee Echinacea
I know you can if they still have some roots. I don't know if they will resprout new roots if all the roots have been removed. I've regrown green onions (also in the fridge) like that and they are easy but haven't tried leeks. Must try that! nodding
I garden for the pollinators.
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Jan 31, 2013 1:00 PM CST
Surprisingly GREEN Pittsburgh (Zone 6a)
Rabbit Keeper Bee Lover Cat Lover Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Butterflies Hummingbirder
Dog Lover Birds Plant and/or Seed Trader Bulbs Echinacea Irises
I think I WILL!
SHOW ME YOUR CRITTERS! I have a critter page over at Cubits. http://cubits.org/crittergarde...

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