Overwintering leeks?

Question

I'm in southern Minnesota...I really want to create a self propagating garden as much as possible and I'm wondering if it's possible to protect leeks in the winter by covering them...I had great luck with 2 plants that have lasted 3 years, but haven't made the "grand experiment" yet...I like leeks for the flowers (in the veggies) as much as anything...right now I have many sets growing in planters. Should I just plant them and harvest them all because it really is too late to expect them to be strong enough to survive the coming winter?

Answer 1

I would overwinter the pencil size pips/offshoots and seedlings of your best specimens inside to replant next year. Trim off the green leaves that will only rot anyhow, scrub them clean to free them of soil, then wash them in a very dilute bleach solution (1T/gallon) to disinfect them before storage.