Leek 'Tornado'

Where to Plant
Plant Leek 'Tornado' in a sunny position with fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Leeks grow best in neutral to slightly alkaline soil, so if you know your soil is strongly acidic, it's worth testing the pH before making any adjustments. Before planting, remove weeds and work in plenty of well-rotted garden compost or manure. Leeks remain in the ground for several months, so good soil preparation will support steady growth and help produce strong, substantial stems.

Planting
Level the soil before planting, then use a dibber to make a hole slightly larger than the seedling's root ball. Space plants around 15cm apart, with approximately 30cm between rows. Carefully lower each leek into the hole, taking care not to bend or damage the roots or growing tip. Don't fill the hole back in or firm the soil around the plant. Instead, fill the planting hole with water and leave the seedling to settle naturally. It may look a little wonky at first, but it will straighten up as it grows. This helps protect the growing tip and encourages long, straight leeks rather than damaged or misshapen stems.

Watering & Feeding
Keep newly planted leeks well watered while they establish, particularly during warm or dry weather. Once established, water during prolonged dry spells but avoid allowing the ground to become waterlogged. Consistent moisture while plants are actively growing helps them develop thick, tender stems.

Leeks benefit from fertile soil and have a long growing season. Well-rotted compost or manure incorporated before planting will provide a good start. If growth needs a boost while plants are actively developing, apply a balanced vegetable fertiliser, following the manufacturer's recommended rate. Avoid excessive feeding as temperatures fall and growth naturally begins to slow.

Winter Care
'Tornado' has good cold tolerance and stands well through the colder months, allowing mature plants to remain in the ground until you're ready to use them. Keep the growing area weed free and make sure excess water can drain freely during prolonged wet weather. Check plants after particularly severe weather and gently firm the surrounding soil if plants have become loosened, taking care not to damage the stems.

Blanching the Stems
The white part of a leek develops where the stem is protected from light. As the plants grow, carefully earth up around the stems in stages to increase the length of the blanched section. Take care not to bury the leaves or allow loose soil to fall into the centre of the plant, where it can become trapped between the leaf layers.

Pests & Problems
Leek moth and allium leaf miner can damage leeks by tunnelling into the leaves and stems. Where these pests are a problem, covering plants with fine insect-proof mesh before the adult insects are active can help prevent them from reaching the crop.

Leeks can also be affected by rust, which appears as orange-brown spots on the leaves. 'Tornado' is reported to have some resistance to rust, but good growing conditions are still important. Give plants adequate spacing for good airflow, keep the growing area weed free and remove badly affected leaves if necessary.

Good Companions
Leek 'Tornado' can be grown alongside crops such as carrots, beetroot, lettuce and spinach. Its upright growth takes up relatively little horizontal space, making it useful for fitting into mixed vegetable beds alongside lower-growing crops.

Make the Most of Your Growing Space
Because leeks remain in the ground for a long period, plan their position so faster-growing neighbouring crops can be harvested without disturbing the leek roots. Leave enough space around the plants for easy weeding, earthing up and harvesting later in the season.

Crop Rotation
Leeks belong to the allium family, along with onions, garlic and shallots. Avoid growing alliums in exactly the same area year after year. Rotating them with other vegetable groups helps reduce the build-up of soil-borne pests and diseases and is particularly useful for reducing the risk of problems such as white rot.

Make the Most of Your Crop
'Tornado' gives you the choice of harvesting some plants young as tender baby leeks while leaving others to develop into full-sized leeks. Start with younger stems when you want something particularly tender, then allow the remaining plants more time to mature.

Top Tip:
Earth up 'Tornado' gradually as it grows rather than piling soil around the stems all at once. This helps produce a longer white shank while reducing the chance of soil becoming trapped between the leaves.

When to Harvest
You don't have to wait for 'Tornado' to reach full size before you start harvesting. Lift younger plants for tender baby leeks, or allow them to mature for longer, thicker stems. Its good cold tolerance means mature plants can stand well in the ground through winter, giving you plenty of flexibility over when you harvest.

Choosing Your Leeks
If you're growing them to full size, start with the largest, thickest stems and leave smaller plants to continue developing. Alternatively, harvest selected plants young as baby leeks and give those remaining more space to mature.

How to Harvest
Push a garden fork into the soil a short distance from the stem and gently loosen the roots before lifting. Avoid pulling hard on the leaves, particularly in heavy or firm soil, as this can damage the leek.

After Lifting
Trim away the roots and any damaged outer leaves, then wash thoroughly to remove soil. Pay particular attention between the leaf layers, where soil can sometimes become trapped.

Top Tip:
There's no need to lift the whole crop together. Harvest 'Tornado' at different stages and leave mature plants standing in the ground through winter where conditions allow, so you can enjoy fresh leeks over a longer period.

Flavour & Texture
'Tornado' has a mild, tasty flavour, with young stems particularly tender when harvested as baby leeks. Leave plants to mature and you'll have substantial white shanks that are ideal for hearty winter cooking.

Best Enjoyed
Baby leeks are delicious cooked whole or gently sautéed, while mature leeks are great sliced into soups, stews and casseroles or baked into pies and gratins. They also pair particularly well with potatoes, cheese, cream and chicken.

Preparing Your Leeks
Trim the roots and tougher dark-green leaf ends before cooking. Slice mature stems lengthways or into rounds and wash thoroughly between the layers to remove any trapped soil. Small baby leeks can be kept whole or simply halved, depending on their size.

Storage
Freshly lifted leeks can be kept in the fridge for several days, but they're best used fresh. 'Tornado' stands well through winter, so where conditions allow, leave unneeded mature plants in the ground and lift them as required.

Freezing
Leeks can be frozen for later use in cooked dishes. Wash and slice the stems, blanch briefly, cool and drain thoroughly before freezing in convenient portions.

Plug Plants & Seedlings
Our plug plants and seedlings are healthy young plants ready to grow on or plant into their final growing position, depending on the crop. Handle them carefully when planting, water thoroughly afterwards and keep the soil evenly moist while they establish.

Garden Ready Plants
Our Garden Ready plants have been professionally grown on, making them larger and more established. They're ready to plant straight into their final growing position, giving you a useful head start towards your harvest.

Upon Arrival
Remove your plants from their packaging as soon as they arrive and check the moisture level. Water if needed and plant as soon as possible. If you can't plant immediately, keep them in a sheltered position and don't allow the roots or compost to dry out.