Leek Seeds (Korrat)

Korrat is Egypt's own salad leek, Allium ampeloprasum Kurrat Group, a leaf relative of the common leek that has been grown along the Nile for at least 2,500 years. Instead of a fat European-style shaft it forms only small bulbs, putting its energy into slender green leaves with a mild-to-strong garlic-and-leek flavour. It is the classic cut-and-come-again green, snipped fresh for soups, omelettes, salads and traditional Egyptian cooking.

Planting

Sow seed directly in the permanent bed almost year-round, avoiding only the extreme heat and cold; the main windows are August to November and late January to April. Plant about 1 cm deep and keep soil at roughly 18-22 C for germination in about 7-14 days. Space plants 10-15 cm apart in rows 35-45 cm apart, or sow rows about 15 cm apart. Choose a full-sun spot of at least 8 hours of bright light in well-drained, fertile heavy loam or clay at pH 6.0-7.0.

Fertilizing

Work plenty of organic manure into the bed before planting. About one month later, feed with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Because the leaves are cut repeatedly, side-dress with nitrogen after every harvest to push fresh regrowth; a balanced 10-10-10 mid-season suits home gardens.

Care

The shallow roots need steady moisture, about 2.5 cm of water weekly; avoid both drought and waterlogging, which invites fungal disease. Watch for thrips and onion maggot, plus rust, fusarium wilt and pink root. Take the first cut about 1.5-2 months after planting, slicing leaves around 2 cm above the soil, then harvest again every 3-5 weeks.