Growing and Cooking Leeks and Winter Squash

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Learn how to grow leeks and winter squashes, plus how to cook them.
Learn how to grow leeks and winter squashes, plus how to cook them.
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Brilliant 'Red Kuri' squash are ready for winter storage. Its flesh is smooth textured and richly flavored.
Brilliant 'Red Kuri' squash are ready for winter storage. Its flesh is smooth textured and richly flavored.
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To grow blanched leeks, poke deep holes in the ground, set in the leek seedlings, and let the wind and rain do the work of covering them up so they blanch.
To grow blanched leeks, poke deep holes in the ground, set in the leek seedlings, and let the wind and rain do the work of covering them up so they blanch.

For gardeners who like to feast on their garden’s bounty year-round, winter squash holds a special honor because it doesn’t require a root cellar. A shed in which nothing will freeze or just a cool room in the house will keep squash in great condition for three to six months, depending on the variety. Unlike root cellar crops — such as potatoes, carrots and beets, which demand a high-humidity storage space — squash like the air to be dry, as it often is in our homes in wintertime.

Leeks are another hero crop for winter eating. Related to both garlic and onions, their subtle onion flavor enhances braises and stews, but they are also superb served all by themselves.

Winter Squash, Both Large and Small

Growing winter squash is just like growing summer squash. You can either direct-seed or put out transplants no more than 3 weeks old. Winter squash just takes up a lot more space — most varieties grow on wandering vines that can overwhelm a small garden. They make a terrific ground cover, however, if you direct those vines into a little-used area, shading out nearly all weeds by harvest time. (For more tips on cultivating this crop in your garden, see All About Growing Winter Squash.)

Just be sure to pick squash before your first hard frost and spread them out in a warm, dry place to cure for a few weeks — to harden off their skins for better keepability. Handle them carefully, because nicks and bruises in the skin will shorten their storage life.

  • Published on Nov 7, 2014
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