My leeks are budding - what to do?

16 years ago

I love leeks. Grew some first time last year, consumed many in soup and quiches, and let some overwinter, which they did successfully. I have been harvesting a few selectively.

Now a few of them are forming buds on long stems ("scapes"?).

Questions:

Does this mean it is time to harvest all?

If I let the buds flower, will this end the growth cycle or cause poor flavor?

Are the flowers or buds edible?

Please advise.

Featured Answer

denninmi

16 years ago

Um, it's probably too late to harvest them as leeks per se -- the stems are getting woody at this point. You can check and see -- it might depend on the individual growing conditions, like how moist or cool it's been. But, I suspect they might be kind of tough by now. Younger, more tender flower scapes could be picked and used, much as they use garlic scapes.

If you let them go, you'll get large, pale lavender, very attractive allium flowers. After that, the top will die down, and many seeds will develop from the flower heads. You can use these seeds to grow new leeks, if you like, or just let them self-sow (MANY will come up if you do this).

The old leek will die down for about a month, and then, about 2 to as many as 4 or 5 new leeks will start to grow from the base of the old one. You can allow them to just grow, or you can dig them up, separate, and replant if you want larger ones.

Also, during that time period when the old leek is dying off and maturing seeds, before the new growth starts, you can pull up the entire stalk and harvest the cloves from the base of it if you wish -- they look kind of like garlic cloves but have no "skin" or tunic. These you can use to cook with or replant. The flavor of the cloves is a little more "hot" than of the leek itself, but you can use it like you would shallots.

Leeks are really a versatile crop and you can use them different ways. They are true perennials in most climates -- I've got some growing in the same spot for 20 years now. They will multiply a lot, but the individual leeks are smaller if they get crowded.

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Comments (12)

calliope
16 years ago
Best explanation of growing leeks I have ever read.
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susancol
16 years ago
Here Here! Thanks Dennis. Excellent information and timely for me as well!

Susan
mauirose
16 years ago
Agree. Thank-you.
spaghetina
16 years ago
I 4th that sentiment. I'm saving your post to my clippings so I know what to do with my leek blossom that's about to open up.
tomtuxman
Original Author
16 years ago
I ditto calliope -- dennimi, you are the leek god/goddess!
hepatica_z7
16 years ago
That was great Dennis. The only thing I would add is that the woody and stringy parts(include all the leaf parts) can be cleaned and simmered in lots of water for an hour or so and you have a stock base for a tasty soup. Salvages some of the nutrients and flavor from your hard work. We gardeners hate to throw ANYTHING away, even if it does go to the compost!

Hepatica
cyrus_gardner
16 years ago
Denninme said it all.
You can also use the flowers as cut flower. They are pretty and last good while.
Another option is to let the flowers rais their babies, ie, the seeds. Then you will never buy
leeks seeds again.
BTW, I have been following my own advice and also enjoying the bulbs. They look like garlic but taste like the sweetest onions.
jollyrd
16 years ago
perfect timing for this post! Mine are mature and blooming with very pretty lavender color and I can see how MANY seeds each plant can bring.
Thank you
oldncgardener
16 years ago
It's true that leeks can be perennialized and that's what I do. In fact I just transplanted/thinned a few. I try to have them at all stages at any given time because I like being able to harvest leeks (and Egyptian onions) in winter as well as the other seasons.
Peter (6b SE NY)
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I just saw a flower head on one of my lancelot leeks and pulled it, and it wasn't woody at all, I just ate a piece raw to test. It is actually stronger tasting than expected... tastes like onion. Very nice. In fact, the scape itself is tender and delicious... you could eat it raw. In fact, googling leek scape, it seems common to eat them.

Some of them have big stalks and are looking like they will be bolting soon. How do I know when to harvest?
ilodato
11 years ago
Is the reason that 2-5 new leeks come up after the old one dies bc of the cloves attached to it begin growing?