ANSWER: Many gardeners turn to companion planting to set their gardens up so that space is maximized and plants support one another through their natural symbiotic relationships. Growing next to each other, some plants can improve others’ taste, some may repel the pests that would otherwise plague their neighbors, and some grow tall to offer protective shade to smaller plants.
Sometimes, companion planting means pairing up plants that won’t compete too harshly for resources, either because they thrive on different nutrients or because their roots access the soil at different levels of depth. Many insects that are garden pests are repelled by the scent of leeks, making it an excellent companion plant for many vegetables. However, other plants can benefit the leek in return when they’re planted close together. The plants we’ve listed below are recommended companions for leeks.
Apples: In addition to fending off borers, slugs, and mites, leek plants will also prevent apple scab and similar fungal diseases. Plant the leeks within a few feet of the base of the trees.
Alliums: All members of the allium family we grow in the vegetable garden (garlic, onions, shallots, and leeks) have very similar preferences for their environment and ongoing care, which makes them perfectly suited to grow alongside one another. However, they also share insect pests, so keep your allium patch small to avoid drawing in the insects that can plague alliums. Several small allium patches sprinkled throughout the garden are better than one large one.
Beets: Beets and leeks share similar care preferences, and are known to do especially well with cabbage added into the mix to triple up on companions and make the most of your garden space.
Cabbage: Cabbage and leeks have similar needs, and many gardeners recommend growing beets with these two for a triple companion planting to save on space. Leeks will repel the cabbage white caterpillars and whiteflies that plague cabbage plants, too.
Calendula
Carrots: Leeks and carrots have a truly mutually beneficial relationship—the leeks protect the carrots from carrot flies, while the carrots protect the leeks from leek moths and onion flies. The two root crops also help loosen the soil for one another as they grow, so the underground leek bulbs and carrot roots can grow larger more easily. Put the leeks (or leeks and other alliums) on either side of your carrot patch to flank the carrots and keep invaders at bay.
Celery: Both celery and leek plants perform well when they’re trenched, which makes it easy to grow the two together. Because celery is bushy and leek grows fairly vertically, you can squeeze the two plants together and intersperse them in a garden plot. Both plants love potash (potassium), so you can treat the area where they’re growing with a high-potassium fertilizer and save both space and fertilizer when they grow next to one another. The leeks will also defend the celery plants by repelling the carrot root flies, aphids, and celery leaf miners that can otherwise cause trouble.
Fruit trees: Some leek plants growing nearby are of major benefit to fruit trees because the leeks (like all allium plants) will deter borers, slugs, and mites that the trees might otherwise struggle with. Make sure to plant your leeks within a few feet of the bases of the fruit trees you wish to protect.
Lettuce: The strong scent of the leeks will deter pests from the lettuce plants, and the leeks can also offer the tender lettuce some much-needed shade when the weather gets hot.
Strawberries: The strong scent of the leeks fights off many of the pests that would otherwise plague strawberry plants.
Tomatoes: The aroma of leeks growing nearby will stave off many of the pests that would normally cause problems for tomato plants in the garden, especially those troublesome aphids.
Companion planting in gardening and agriculture is the planting of different crops in proximity for any of a number of different reasons, including weed suppression, pest control, pollination, providing habitat for beneficial insects, maximizing use of space, and to otherwise increase crop productivity.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Companion_planting
might be cabbage, tomatoes, beets, and lettuce. The leafy vegetables, especially, seem to benefit from the strong scent of plants in the Allium family.
If your garden is plagued by thrips, avoid companion planting tomatoes with crops from the onion family. Onions, garlic and leeks can be susceptible to the same species of thrips that plague tomatoes.
While there are many great companion plants for leeks, some should be avoided as they may compete for nutrients or attract pests that can harm leek growth. Plants like Brassicas (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage) and beans should be avoided as they require similar nutrients to leeks and can stunt their growth.
Plant leeks in a sunny spot in soil that is fertile and well-drained. Leeks thrive in traditional garden beds, raised beds, or even in tall containers, so choose whatever works best for you. Space leeks 6 inches apart when planting. Leeks need two things to thrive: lots of nitrogen and consistent soil moisture.
Leeks love celery, onion, strawberries. If you're planting cauliflower, beans, celery, oregano, peas and spinach can be planted alongside. A year-round favourite, lettuce will grow happily with carrots, radish and strawberries.
Garlic is great as a filler for your Leek and Onions beds as any plants that didn't make it can be replaced with a garlic clove. Onions and Garlic are harvested at similar times from June to August. Plant cloves 6 inches apart.
Transplant leeks as soon as early spring weather has calmed down and daytime temperatures are at least 45°F. Trim the roots of the transplants to one inch to help you transplant, if necessary. Plant two to six inches apart, with 12 to 36 inches between rows.
The intercropping method of planting corn, beans, and squash together, commonly called The Three Sisters has been studied and described by scholars in anthropology, history, agriculture, and food studies for many years.
Strawberries seem to enjoy living next to leeks, and the strong odor of the leeks repels many pests of the berries. Other leek plant companions might be cabbage, tomatoes, beets, and lettuce. The leafy vegetables, especially, seem to benefit from the strong scent of plants in the Allium family.
Make a row of holes with a large dibber or trowel handle, 15cm (6in) deep and 5cm (2in) across. Deep planting helps to form the long white shank. Space the holes 15–20cm (6–8in) apart, depending on the variety, or 10cm (4in) apart for baby leeks. Allow 30cm (1ft) between rows.
Carrots and leeks work together the same way. First of all, they have the same soil and light requirements. They do best with light, well-drained soil and tons of sunshine. As root crops, carrots can help to break up denser soils, which makes leeks' tendril-like roots quite happy.
Leeks are usually sown straight into the ground in spring, often into a dedicated 'seedbed', then transplanted to their final growing site in early summer.
They have a mild onion flavor. You may eat them in soups, as well as raw, braised or in casseroles or quiche. You can eat both the green leaves and the white shaft. Leeks look like overgrown green onions, with a long, cylindrical white shaft.
Introduction: My name is Annamae Dooley, I am a witty, quaint, lovely, clever, rich, sparkling, powerful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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