Now is the time to sow most Allium species indoors. Both onions and leeks may be transplanted into the garden in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. These species germinate readily at warm room temperature in bright light. Each seedling will grow fat and happy given their own space in a regular 72 cell flat filled with good organic soil. Place flats where they will receive ample natural light or artificial light carefully timed to reflect actual daylight hours. Fertilize with dilute fish emulsion or seaweed extract weekly.
In our catalog you will find two very old and reliable open-pollinated long day onions that are widely adapted to northern gardens, but are especially easy in the Northeast: New York Early and Red Wethersfield (as in Wethersfield, Connecticut). They are also two of the best keepers among open-pollinated varieties. Harvest for storage when most (but not all) tops are brown and dry.
Of the three leeks that we offer, two are French heirlooms, because the French seem to truly love a good leek. Jaune du Poitou is an exceptionally tall and statuesque selection with lovely golden green foliage and a sublimely delicate texture and flavor. It is also fairly precocious, becoming substantial enough to harvest well before winter, which is just as well because they are among the least hardy of leeks. Enjoy Jaune du Poitou braised with cream and white wine or in a simple potato soup where its unique flavor and texture can shine.
Bleu de Solaize, another French heirloom leek, has abundant semi-glaucous ornamental foliage that becomes positively purple in cold weather. Stout plants withstand winter with aplomb and make for a very welcome harvest in the spring of their second year. Flavor is superior to that of most modern leeks and suitable for diverse culinary purposes.
The most unusual of our Leeks is actually a selection of Delft, a modern Dutch variety bred for hardiness. Similarly to Elephant "Garlic" (which is botanically a leek), Delft Perpetual sets large edible bulbs at the base of each plant in the second year. These bulbs will birth more leeks if left in the ground, ultimately producing a large clump of perennial, or Perpetual, leeks. Harvest leeks carefully above roots for continued production. Perfect for permaculture.
And speaking of permaculture, no perennial edible garden is complete without Red Welsh Onions. These hardy and beautiful bunching onions will multiply with abandon if left in the ground to overwinter, eventually producing large indestructible ornamental clumps of what may appear to be oversized scallions. Planted in loose sandy soil against a south-facing wall they can often be harvested throughout the winter. Superb assertive flavor. We love the hollow green stems in pho and blue cheese dip. Small slender bulbs are delicious braised or roasted. Flowering does not diminish the life or quality of these plants and contributes significantly to their ornamental value. Start indoors or sow directly into the garden in early spring.
Our catalog features just one shallot because we feel that it is the easiest and most delicious shallot that can be grown from seed. Cuisse de Poulet may be sown directly into the garden in spring. Vigorous plants will produce pale pink torpedo-shaped shallots that may be sliced in half lengthwise for aesthetically impressive onion tarts. These shallots are also fantastic keepers, holding for several months in a basket on the kitchen counter. Sweet rich flavor. May be started indoors for an even earlier harvest.