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How to Grow Leeks in Toilet Rolls? 7 Easy Steps!

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Leeks are a member of the onion family and are an ideal alternative to be used in the winter season. The white base of the leeks is the most important part, which is widely used in the culinary world. And if not grown properly, the entire leek plant will become green.

Even though the green part is also edible and can be used in soups and stocks, the white base is the vital part. Learn how to grow leeks in toilet rolls to get the proper white base with our easy instructions.

Growing leeks in toilet rolls might seem an odd idea, but the trick behind it is that it covers the leeks’ base and blocks out the sunlight. It gives leeks their white and tender base that You can use in various dishes. Follow this article to learn how to grow leeks in toilet paper and some bonus tips for taking care of leeks.

How to Grow Leeks in Toilet Rolls

If your leeks have long green stalks and no white base, it is most likely that your plants are getting too much sun exposure. The trick here is to cover the leeks so they do not get direct sun, and their bases stay white, tender, and delicious. If you don’t want your leeks to turn into long green stalks, then follow our simple guide to learn how to grow leeks in toilet rolls.

Using toilet rolls is completely safe for the environment as they are made of cardboard paper and are compostable, making them eco-friendly. If you plan to cultivate leeks, begin collecting toilet rolls in advance. You don’t have to worry about it as you will only need it when the leeks start growing out of the ground. You can also easily buy toilet rolls in bulk at very cheap prices.

Items You Will Need

28 Ct Paper Tube Set, Cardboard Rolls with 14 Pieces 3.875 In Toilet Paper Tubes and 14 Pieces 12 In Paper Towel Tubes For Crafts
  • The Sturdy Crafting Rolls For All Your DIYs - Unleash your creativity using the sturdiest cardboard tubes that perform great on any artistic DIY project you may have in mind. Thicker, stronger and more durable than standard paper towel or toilet paper rolls, our cylinder paper tubes won’t crumble or fall apart, making them the best choice for any of your creative ideas!
  • Value Pack of 28 Tube Rolls In 2 Different Sizes - Well, don’t wait to run out of toilet paper to start your next fun project. With 28 thick cardboard rolls you will have enough supplies to work on any idea you wish right on the spot. Plus, these crafting tubes come in 2 different sizes to accommodate any of your needs, for smaller or larger DIY assignments you want to try!
  • So Versatile, Paint Them, Cut Them, Glue Them - It's Up to You - Made of the highest quality cardboard materials, our thick toilet paper rolls won’t get all soggy and flimsy even when painted. Easy to glue together, cut and color, they are perfect for an array of uses including: Home Décor, Organizing, Wall Art, Christmas Ornaments, Floating Candles For Harry Potter Themed Parties, as Curtain Spacer Tubes and so much more.
  • Perfect For Classroom Projects Or At Home Arts & Crafts - Encourage your kid to experiment with these budget-friendly arts and crafts supplies that will stimulate their curiosity, imagination and STEAM learning that will engage both their hands and minds. A must-have addition to any classroom [from kindergarten to older students], Sunday/Bible school or your at-home crafts station!
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Down to Earth Organic Vegetable Garden Fertilizer 4-4-4, 5lb
  • Down to Earth Vegetable Garden is a five pound box of all natural fertilizer with 4-4-4 formula
  • This veggie fertilizer provides the perfect start for your sprightly spring greens, it gives your summer tomatoes super-powers, and it's fantastic for growing your favorite frangrant herbs
  • Vegetable Garden Fertilizer is full of powerful nutrition to help your plants grow
  • A versatile mix for backyard gardens and hobby farms
  • Ideal for use throughout the growing season

Step 1: Prepare the Soil

Start by preparing the right mix of soil for the healthy growth of your leeks. A good potting mix with equal soil and sand ratio is an excellent choice. Add compost to your soil to enrich it with healthy nutrients required for growth. Avoid using fresh manure.

Take out your digging tools and dig about an 8 inches hole in the soil to plant leeks. Make sure to choose a location that receives plenty of sunlight. Make several furrows around 7 inches deep in the soil and leave about 12 inches of space between each.

Step 2: Planting the Leeks

Now that you have prepared the soil, it is time to plant the leeks. You can either use leek bulbs to plant them or use seeds. Plant your seeds about one inch deep in the soil. If you are planting seedlings, it is important to plant them just as deep as they were planted in their original container. Maintain the distance while planting to ensure there is sufficient place to grow.

Step 3: Filling the Burrows

After planting the seeds or the seedlings, cover the top layer of the soil. In the case of seeds, lightly cover their top entirely, while for seedlings, leave their green parts out.

Step 4: Watering

Now water the seeds thoroughly but avoid overwatering. Water regularly to ensure healthy growth. Keep the soil lightly moist but prevent it from waterlogging. Once the seeds start sprouting, you can add a layer of mulch. Wait until 6 weeks at least, and watch if the sprouts have grown two leaves before you add mulch. Mulch will help retain the moisture in the soil.

Step 5: Prepare the Toilet Rolls

Take some toilet rolls and cut them in half to get a size of 2 to 4 inches. You can use a single roll for two leek plants. You can also use kitchen paper rolls. Since they have large sizes, you can cut them into three or four parts.

Step 6: Placing the Toilet Rolls

Once you have prepared the toilet rolls of appropriate sizes, it is time to place them in the soil to cover the leeks. Gently slide down the toilet rolls on the leek; make sure you are very careful not to harm the young plants. As you put the toilet rolls on the leeks, push them down about half an inch in the soil. Don’t push too deep or too hard so as not to disrupt or damage the roots.

Step 7: Watch Them Grow!

Now you are all set and done. It is time to take care of the leeks as you normally would and watch them grow into big healthy plants. Keep applying fertilizers between once every week or every two weeks. It will result in a good healthy harvest that is delicious and enriched with nutrients.

How to Harvest Leeks?

After taking care of them and nourishing them for months, your hard work will be paid off with a bountiful harvest of leeks. Leeks will be ready to be harvested in late summer or early autumn. It is quite simple to harvest the leeks. When fully grown, gently pull them out of the ground.

It is best to loosen up the soil around the leeks to make the process easier and avoid damaging the harvest. Frost can make it especially difficult to harvest the leeks, making the soil very hard. In such a case, using sandy soil will help.

Common Leek Diseases and Pests

Leek is the favorite target of slugs, so be wary of them. They might chew off the leaves of your plant. Some other pests commonly target leeks are thrips, onion maggots, and leaf miners. The best organic remedy to get rid of and prevent any pests and diseases is using neem oil. If a pest infestation occurs, remove the affected plants immediately to prevent pests from spreading to other leek plants.

Leek is most commonly affected by diseases such as blight and leek rust. These diseases often occur during the humid season. To avoid these diseases, make sure you do not overwater the plants and ensure good air circulation. If you see any blight or leek rust signs, remove those leaves as soon as possible.

Storing Leeks

You can easily leave your leeks in the ground if you do not want to eat them right away. They can be stored in the ground till next spring.

If you don’t want to leave them in the ground, harvest them and store them in a cool place, like a refrigerator or cold storage. Under the right conditions, leeks can be stored for several months.


Conclusion

Growing your vegetables can be very rewarding, and the taste and quality can be much better than the store-bought vegetables. Leeks are widely used in various cuisines, and their bulb can also be used as a replacement for shallots. If you are growing your leeks, you might face the issue of having long green stalks with no good edible parts. It most likely occurs due to direct sun exposure.

We have taught you an ingenious method to avoid this issue and grow perfect leeks. Now that you have learned how to grow leeks in toilet rolls, it is time to enjoy your harvest. We appreciate your feedback!