15 Companion Plants to Enhance Leek Growth
Table of Contents
Leek is a green vegetable with a white portion and thin green leaves. Historically there were many names for Leek, but later, it was known as a cultivar of A. ampeloprasum. It is also called Chinese Onion, closely related to Garlic and Kunnat. To grow Leek, there is just the requirement of three things: seeds, space and moist soil with adequate nutrition that helps in its growth.
Leeks are harvested in late summer, and the vegetables with the same harvesting time can be used as a companion. These are also a great addition to your garden and easy growing plant. If we compare Leek in taste with other crops, it is known to give a delicate and universal taste.
Plants that belong to the same family Allium are known as the best companion for leeks; they fix Nitrogen in the soil and protects the vegetables from insects. In addition, Leek requires much less space to grow; thus, people usually tend to find leek companion plants to make maximum use of the space. There are 15 plants which can be paired with it, but the choice depends on your need.
1. Broccoli
Broccoli is also known as Brassica Oleracea, closely related to Cauliflower. They are rich in Vitamin B and K and grow in cold temperatures ranging from 18 to 23°C. The common pests are white butterflies, aphids and moths.
The reason for considering Leek and Broccoli as good companions is that they both require the same conditions to grow. Whereas Leek requires less space while growing, adjusting them together is quite easy.
2. Cabbage
Cabbage is a leafy vegetable which is sensitive to various pests and insects. Therefore, growing Leeks with cabbage could become a benefit in this case. Leeks have a very strong smell that keeps them away. But there is one problem with this pair: they have different soil requirements. Hence, it is preferred to pair them with Beetroot for better results.
3. Cauliflower
Cauliflower and Leeks are a pair which need extensive care. Cauliflower needs an optimal temperature between 21 to 29°C with moist soil rich in organic matter, which is the same required for the Leek.
4. Strawberry
Strawberries are red and are the favourite of everyone because of their juice and flavour. Although, Berries are affected by pests and insects. At the same time, Leek has a nutritional requirement which can be fulfilled. This Fruit and vegetable pair is a great option and helps resolve the problem both face individually. Leek repels pests and insects with its odour, and the strawberry plant hep in the fixation of nutrients in the soil.
The only requirement of this pair is space; you need a medium size garden to grow them together. They both need room to breathe and metabolize.
5. Carrots
A carrot is a root crop which requires 3-5 months to mature. These crops risk getting damaged by carrot flies; on the other hand, leeks are eaten by leek flies. However, both crops have their respective odour, which repels each other’s pests.
This increases the yield using natural methods and enhances the crop’s nutritional value. There is one more benefit of this pair; both are root crops thus, losing the soil for emerging.
6. Celery
Celery, a marshland crop, belongs to the Apiaceae family. The edible part of the Celery is leaves, stalks or hypocotyl and seed powder is used as a spice.
Celery has butylphthalide and sedanolide production; these chemicals help repel onion pests. Thus, making Celery and Leek companion plants.
7. Chamomile
Want a flowery pair in your garden? Chamomile is the answer to that question. It belongs to the sunflower family, and they are also prone to fungus, aphids and viruses. But, the pair can avoid fungal and other pests.
Moreover, you can use Chamomile seeds as an anti-fungal spray protecting the Leek from fungal infections.
8. Beetroot
Beetroot is a taproot vegetable which came to Northern America by accident. These could be the best leek companion plants because they require much less space for growing. However, both prefer deep and fertile soil with 6pH. With this pair, you can use most of your garden space.
You can use a Soil pH Meter tester to detect the right requirements and soil moisture.
9. Lettuce
Lettuce is a leaf vegetable, but they are also grown for its seed and stem. The yielding of this crop is done in cold temperatures. Leek and Lettuce can become a companion because of the nutritional requirement. The major concern in growing these crops together is space because Lettuce is recommended to be developed at 20 to 36cm long.
10. Kale
Are you growing Leek to replenish the nutritional value of the garden? Then Kale and Leek are best; they are both closely related and known for their pest control trait. They both help make the soil optimal for cold-weather crops, thus enhancing their yield and making the soil more fertile.
11. Kohlrabri
Kohlrabi is also known as German turnip and belongs to the same species as Cauliflower and broccoli. It takes almost two months to mature. Usually, they grow in a hydroponic environment. The benefit of growing Leek and Kholrabri is the flow of nutrients in the soil. Expanding Nitrogen and pH of the soil can be maintained, which can benefit the crops grown after their harvest.
12. Chilli Peppers
Chilli Peppers are a colourful vegetable crop that will add radiating hues to your garden. They have a specific type of odour for which they are usually grown. Leeks and chilli pepper keep each other safe from their respective pests.
They both also help in enhancing their taste, filling up the vacant small space in your garden. But chilli peppers need sun for proper growth. Thus, they are mostly chosen as a companion for outdoor gardens.
13. Rosemary
Rosemary is a needle-like vegetable with colourful blue and pink flowers. The scientific name of this vegetable is Rosmarinus officinalis, which has a favourable growing period in cold weather. These leaves have many health benefits and are easy to grow. In addition, they showcase pest-resistant characteristics, helping Leek from damage.
Rosemary will fill your garden with a new aroma and better taste in your food. When you pair Leek and Rosemary together, make sure that Rosemary is grown in an area with sunlight. They won’t germinate in the shade and need acidic to neutral soil for growth.
14. Marigolds
Tagests or Marigolds both are the same and natively belong to Mexico. These flowers will add bloom and scent to your garden, making your garden area pretty and lovely. You can pick from the fifty available species. The flowers on marigolds are known to keep pests away from the Leek. They even protect the soil from pests, keeping other plants in the neighbourhood safe from pests.
You can grow them using seeds, and are quite resistant to water scarcity. Still, to properly balance Leek and its companion, water them once a week before sunrise.
15. Melons
Fruit lovers would love this as a leek companion plant. This pair is one-sided, where leeks are grown to protect the melons from fungal infection. The main requirement of these plants is that they should be grown in a resides bed and regularly be sprayed with fertilizers.
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This pair will thrive, increase melon yield, and protect the Leek from insects like aphids.
The Major Benefits of Growing the Leek in Your Garden
- They are pest-controlling because of their odour.
- Help in maintaining the pH and Nitrogen in the soil.
- A mutual pair would benefit in good yield and can also add colourful hues to your garden.
- Leek is space efficient thus, uses every corner of your garden.
Conclusion
Leek is a great option for your garden if you want something with a great and different taste to food. Above this, it is convenient to grow Leek because they need less space and are easy to grow. Leek is also a great addition to your garden and kitchen because of there a strong smell which makes food delicious and keeps the other garden crops safe from insects and pests.
Choose the best suitable leek companion plants for your garden; You might have decided on the crop you would grow alongside Leek in your garden.
After growing the pair, don’t forget to comment below your experience, which will eventually help others decide on the best companion. Also, if you have any other plants in your mind except those mentioned above, forget to “pin it down in the comment”.
