Various sources are stating that leeks do not freeze well or should be stored in a fridge for 7 to 10 days for optimal storage. Unfortunately, leeks have long been part of my winter diet so the prospect of filling my refrigerator up with buckets full is absurd. So, is storing leeks for winter possible?
Good news! Leeks can be stored for longer than seven to ten days and enjoyed fresh throughout the winter season! With this in mind, why would anyone grow an entire raised bed full of leeks if there wasn’t any way for them to be stored properly?
Leeks are resistant to frost, so as long as your winters are mild enough, you could leave them in the ground until harvest time comes around and reap them gradually. For optimal storage during this season’s harsher climates, fresh leeks should be stored inside containers filled with garden soil in cool rooms like basements or root cellars.
Before harvesting leeks from the ground, there are a few important points you need to be aware of regarding their harvest, preparation, and storage:
Harvesting Leeks: Tips And Tricks For You
The optimal time and place to harvest leeks is late autumn after their first frost, typically occurring sometime during mid-October or November in temperate regions. Leeks differ from most vegetables of the onion family by being best harvested after experiencing frosty nights. You may experience sweeter flavors with more tender structures! Don’t be alarmed; their taste won’t change either way!
Leeks thrive in mild frosts and snowfall; consequently, gardeners in mild climates such as the UK often leave leeks planted out and harvest as needed rather than keeping them indoors for storage purposes.
Harvesting leeks doesn’t involve muscle power alone. You must use gentle and deliberate movements when harvesting these plants. Leeks boast deep and powerful roots that require careful handling to be harvested successfully. Trying to pull or twist out an individual plant could result in it breaking apart into individual roots rather than leaving one intact plant for harvest. Pulling them all up at once using multi sowing method increases this difficulty further.
Harvest leeks with ease by using a garden fork to loosen soil between rows, gently lifting them from underneath their roots. If any resistance arises while pulling them up from their beds, keep breaking up the soil until all leeks can be extracted easily.
Processing Leeks for Storage
Storing leeks for winter takes some processing. Although leeks are most delicious when eaten raw, for optimal storage, we must keep as much of their plant alive.
Here is how you can prepare leeks for long-term storage:
- For starters grab a bucket and some scissors before proceeding further with this task.
- Leave at least 6 inches of leaves attached when trimming off leeks; how you style them is up to you.
- Clean off dirt from roots/stems as that would take away their natural protective layer.
- Don’t remove the outer layer before eating but do this after. Finally, trim roots down to approximately an inch or 2-3 cm long before setting out on a journey.
- Do not wash or place them in water. Once your pile of leeks has been trimmed and packed into containers.
- The next step should be packing efficiently to maximize space use.
Storing Leeks in Sand or Garden Soil
Leeks can be stored in any type of container imaginable: buckets, wood boxes, old planters etc. For upright storage, I like using plastic bins with high sides to not risk their collapse!
With garden soil, I observed leeks setting roots inside their container, producing fresh leeks over an extended period. Perhaps nutrients remain available within the soil so the leek enters dormancy instead of drying up or rotting away completely.
Maintain a moderate watering regime inside each container to keep sand or garden soil damp enough. Place leeks upright into their containers instead of horizontally like carrots to save space, they’ll look better too. And pack closely to save even more room!
Maintain a cool, dark, and well-ventilated space such as a root cellar or basement for optimal storage conditions; temperatures near freezing should still be acceptable for plants to thrive in this manner.
How Well Do Leeks Keep Long-Term?
Leeks can certainly be stored long-term using this method, with root cellar storage lasting as long as three months for best results.
Note: A three-month-old stored leek may have some discolored leaves but will taste buttery and aromatic!
My leeks ran out in 3 months without going bad; here are a few steps we took to extend their shelf life:
- Grow winter hardy varieties such as Musselburgh or Blue Solaise Leek and harvest them late, they should last you until spring arrives!
- Sort the leeks by size and place them into categories: begin eating the smaller leeks first before transitioning to larger varieties that won’t dry out as easily. Large leeks keep longer.
- Make regular checks of your bins for humidity levels and spoiled leeks, since these containers do not feature lids to replace lost water through evaporation.
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At Last, Storing Leeks For Winter Is Possible!
Storing leeks for winter is possible with proper precautions and processing. Long-term storage may not produce leeks with the same crispy and watery texture as those pulled right out of the ground. Yet, I would much rather have one of these stored leeks than none at all. Unfortunately in my area, it gets far too cold to leave mine out in nature’s “cold storage”, but if that works in yours you could enjoy their goodness as nature’s “cold storage”.