View Category:Onions and Leeks
History
Onions probably originated in Central Asia and were cultivated by the Egyptians 3,200 years ago.From Mesopotamia there is evidence of cultivation in Sumer at the end of the third millenium B.C.This, together with the records from Egypt, indicates that the initial domestication began much earlier. The Romans cultivated onions in special gardens (cepinae) which had specialized gardeners (ceparii). They reached Europe in the Middle Ages.
The Leek originates from the wild species Allium ampeloprasum which occurs from Portugal and North Africa eastwards to Turkey, Iran and about Tajikistan. Dried specimens from archeological sites in ancient Egypt, as well as wall carvings and drawings led Zohary and Hopf to conclude that the leek was a part of the Egyptian diet "from at least the 2nd millennium bc onwards." They also allude to surviving texts that show it had been also grown in Mesopotamia from the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. The leek was the favorite vegetable of the Emperor Nero, who consumed it most often in soup form.
Cultivation
Leeks and onions like a long growing season, Seeds need to be sown as early as possible for large specimens. Onion sets give a head start. Seed should be sown from January indoors in trays or modules and in February or March outside, in rows 20cm apart and 1cm deep. The soil should be well firmed after sowing. The more space you give them when planting out or thinning the bigger they will be, Early sown onions and leeks should be planted out or thinned to 20cm later ones can be closer. Leeks and onions do not compete well with weeds and need to be kept very clean.
Harvesting Onions
Harvest onions when they tops start to dry off and fall over. Onions need to be dried to store well, Hang up in a greenhouse or sunny window until the skins are really crisp and the outer layers fall off easily. Kept cool and dry they will last till April.
Harvesting Leeks
Leeks should be left in the ground until needed, although they store for quite a long time in a plastic bag in the fridge.