Exploring leek harvest

Nov 30, 2023

In this Small Farm Canada short video, Jeff Carter explores harvesting leeks. A crop that can be harvested well into the fall and even over-wintered.

Leek, (Allium porrum), is a hardy biennial plant of the amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae) that is most often grown as an annual vegetable crop. It is native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Leeks are related to onions and have a similar flavour but instead of forming a bulb, the stem continues to thicken, forming a sheath of furled leaves.

Summer leek cultivars are harvested in the season they were planted. Cultivars that overwinter are harvested in the spring following planting in the previous year. Summer leek types are generally smaller and overwintering types are usually stronger tasting.

Leeks are a long-season crop. Mulching is important to reduce weeds and maintain soil moisture. For overwintering, protect the plants with a good amount of straw or leaves so they can be harvested throughout the winter.

Leeks will flower and go to seed in spring and can form a self-perpetuating leek bed. Leeks left to flower often produce bulblets at the base of the plant. The bulblets can also be used for propagation

Source : Small Farm Canada

Video: Why Port Infrastructure is Key to Growing Canada's Farms and Economy

Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) knows that strong, modern port infrastructure is vital to the success of Canada’s agriculture. When our ports grow, Ontario grain farmers and Canadian farms grow too—and when we grow, Canada grows.

In this video, we highlight the importance of investing in port infrastructure and how these investments are key to growing Ontario agriculture and supporting global trade. The footage showcases the strength of both Ontario’s farming landscapes and vital port operations, including some key visuals from HOPA Ports, which we are grateful to use in this project.

Ontario’s grain farmers rely on efficient, sustainable ports and seaway systems to move grain to markets around the world. Port investments are crucial to increasing market access, driving economic growth, and ensuring food security for all Canadians.

Why Port Infrastructure Matters:

Investing in Ports = Investing in Farms: Modernized ports support the export of Canadian grain, driving growth in agriculture.

Sustainable Growth: Learn how stronger ports reduce environmental impact while boosting economic stability.

Global Trade Opportunities: Improved port and seaway systems help farmers access new global markets for their grain.

Stronger Communities: Investment in ports means more stable jobs and economic growth for rural communities across Ontario and Canada.

We are proud to support the ongoing investment in port infrastructure and to shine a light on its vital role in feeding the world and securing a prosperous future for Canadian agriculture.

Special thanks to HOPA Ports for providing some of the stunning port footage featured in this video.