Back in August 2022, we planted our Leek plug plants out into our new raised beds. We have been harvesting the smaller leeks from December and then the ground was frozen so it has been difficult to harvest anything.

It’s now February and I’m thinking ahead to Spring thinking we are going to need the space in the raised beds for the new season so I need to pick and eat the Leeks over the next two months before they flower and run to seed in April. These seeds can be collected for growing in Spring.

Musselburgh – The story behind the variety

Musselburgh is a town in Scotland, UK and is a known for its very cold winters. This gives a clue of how this variety performs and whether it is perfect or not to grow in your area. Whilst it is not as cold as Scotland in the South East of the UK, it has been unseasonably cold this year with periods of prolonged freezing temperatures over the past months.

Musselburgh can survive the coldest of winters, snow and frozen ground. It isn’t the longest of leeks, for the white part is quite short but it does bulk up to make the thickness of the leek worth while to grow.

Musselburgh does take quite a long time to grow and this is why is doesn’t make the supermarket list. It’s taste is mild and sweet and perfect for harvesting over a long period December to the end of March from an April sowing.

How to Harvest Leeks

I find the best way to harvest leeks is use a trowel to push into the ground all the way round the leek as if you are digging a circle around the leek.

Then gently lift up the soil with the trowel around the leek loosening the soil around the roots and at the same time with your other hand hold the leek firmly and pull the leek gently out of the ground.

A good shake of the leek or use the trowel to loosen the soil from the roots before taking into the kitchen to rinse and prepare or store.