When should outdoor chives be sown?

Many people tend to grow leeks by themselves. When growing leeks, they usually choose to ask others for some leek roots to grow. If we want leeks to grow better and extend their growing years, sowing is actually a better choice. So when should outdoor chives be sown?

When should outdoor chives be sown?

Chives are more suitable for planting in spring and autumn because the environmental conditions in these two seasons are most suitable for the growth of chives. Spring and autumn are the most vigorous growth periods for leeks, while in summer, the high temperature weakens the root system, causes slow leaf growth, and reduces the seed germination rate. The low temperature in winter is not conducive to the development of the root system and the normal growth of leeks. The best temperature for leek seeds to germinate is about 15-25 degrees. Too high or too low temperatures are not conducive to the germination and growth of leeks. Therefore, whether sowing by seeds or using leek roots for transplanting, spring and autumn are the best choices.

Spring planting should be based on local climatic conditions, usually between March and June, and is most suitable when the temperature is maintained at around 15-25 degrees. When the average temperature in spring exceeds 10 degrees, leeks can be planted, but if the temperature exceeds 30 degrees or is below 10 degrees, the germination of seeds will be adversely affected. Autumn planting needs to be carried out from September to October, when the maximum temperature drops below 26 degrees. In the south, planting time can be delayed slightly. In the north, it is necessary to ensure that there is at least a two-month growing period from sowing to the beginning of winter so that the leek seedlings can grow, otherwise the seedlings may have difficulty in safely overwintering. It is worth noting that the germination and emergence process of leek seeds is relatively slow. It takes about 10 days for the seedlings to emerge after sowing, so you need to wait patiently.

The choice of sowing chives from seeds or transplanting chive roots depends on specific needs and conditions. Here is a comparison of the two approaches:

1. Advantages of seed sowing

Sowing from seeds requires longer waiting for the chives to grow. By sowing, different leek varieties can be selected according to personal preference, including local traditional varieties or new varieties.

Although the yield of the old local varieties of leeks may be lower, they have a strong leek flavor. The new variety of leek has wider and thicker stems and leaves and higher yield, but the leek flavor may be slightly inferior.

2. Advantages of leek root transplanting

When transplanting, if the leek roots are freshly dug, the root system will be highly active, and the survival rate and seedling growth rate will be faster after transplanting. If you are raising your own seedlings, using leek roots for transplanting is a viable option. Purchased leek roots, especially those purchased online, may have quality problems, such as discarded leek roots or roots that have been stored for too long, which will affect the survival rate and growth conditions after transplanting.

Leek sowing method

1. Seed pretreatment

For leek sowing, although untreated seeds can be sown directly, in order to accelerate germination and ensure more uniform germination, it is recommended to soak the seeds before sowing so that the seeds can fully absorb water. This will help achieve rapid emergence in about 5-7 days at suitable temperatures.

2. Sowing techniques

Leeks are usually sown in rows. If you plan to transplant later, the row spacing should be set closer, about 10 cm. When transplanting, you can dig out the roots; if you do not plan to transplant, the row spacing for one-time sowing should be 20 cm. Since leeks will jump roots and tiller during the growth process and their number will gradually increase, it is necessary to reserve enough growth space for them and take into account the need for soil cultivation.

Before sowing, ensure that the soil has sufficient moisture. If the soil is particularly dry, water it thoroughly first; if the soil is moist, water it directly in the sowing furrow. After turning the soil, make a flat bed and gently draw furrows, keeping the depth of the furrows at 1.5 to 2 cm. After watering the furrows, wait for the water to penetrate and then sow the seeds. After sowing, cover with soil and mulch. During this period, regular checks should be carried out and the ground film should be removed in time once seedlings emerge.

Considering that the germination rate of leek seeds may not be high, the recommended sowing amount per mu is 10-12 pounds. If you are worried about uneven sowing, you can mix the seeds with two or three times the amount of sand before sowing. This can improve the uniformity of sowing and ensure more uniform emergence of seedlings.

Growing leeks is not complicated. As long as you master the correct methods and carry out scientific field management, you can successfully grow high-quality leeks. Whether you choose to sow or transplant, the key is to select healthy and suitable planting materials and provide a suitable growing environment.