Wild Leeks are up!!!

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Originally Posted by bowj

also, how do you guys dig up the leek bulbs? I was using a leatherman tool pliers, but it wasn't ideal. do you just carry a garden trowel? I want something to put in my turkey vest!

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I grab individual bulbs as close to dirt or under as possible, larger size as mentioned and wiggle and wind them in a circle and pull. They will pull off the roots cleanly and does not disturb the root bed which i think keeps the bed healthier. If the roots stay in the ground they can continue to spread and put up new bulbs. Bonus the bulbs are cleaner and less work in the end but it does take a bit longer to harvest a meal, but so what you're spending an extra half hour outside enjoying yourself. It doesn't take much overpicking or damage to a bed to ruin it, possibly forever especially if its a public spot and a couple people pick it.

Awesome mbhunter, thanks for the pics for size reference!
I will wait a few weeks than head out for some more in this spot or one other spot I know they're growing. I kinda just thought they came up and you picked them. Good to know!! As mentioned they still tasted good and smell even better!

Stuck a few plants in the garden last spring on a whim. Was surprised to see that they have sprout who knows if they propagated well won't have to go far a taste.

went looking yesterday for them but a bit early yet here. Probably next week.

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Originally Posted by finsfurfeathers

Stuck a few plants in the garden last spring on a whim. Was surprised to see that they have sprout who knows if they propagated well won't have to go far a taste.

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I literally was going to do that yesterday. thought the dog pee would probably do them in though... still might try that...

I use a garden fork to dig them up , it loosens the soil as you dig in and pry up , then just lift the bulbs out by the handful.
The one you have pictured , are still pretty small, I like to leave them till the bulbs are about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in dia. however the size that you picked are great in salads, and don't throw the leaves away as they can also be used in salads or chopped fine and mixed with sour cream for your baked potatoes.
We, my wife actually makes a great wild leek soup using a potatoe base , one of my favourites don't forget to add some well fried bacon bits.

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Originally Posted by Rodbender

I haven't had pickled Leeks since my grandparent's died if anyone wants to sell a jar or two PM me :D

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Kevin next time you're my way I have a jar with your name on them.

I too would like a wild edibles section as well. I have spent the winter studying Ontario edibles and I ready for the morels, leeks and asparagus season. I had planned to go this weekend between turkey hunts, but we lost the wife's grandma last week and just got home yesterday from Woodstock. I hope to pick much wild edibles this year. Nice haul..

I have used this site all winter and also Ontario wild edibles book to teach myself identification features.
http://northernbushcraft.com/guide.p...region=Ontario

Yes like it has been stated you picked some small ones, I'll be waiting a week or two before I start to pick some. I also do pickled leeks, my uncles recipe, he is the one who got me addicted to wild leeks. Again it has been stated but the leaves are great for soups and salads. We dehydrate some of both the leaves and bulbs for soups throughout the year. I also clean a bunch of bulbs and freeze them in a jar, they can get a bit mushy when thawed but they are still great to cook with, amazing flavor. Just love them chopped and put in scrambled eggs or in with your breakfast hash browns or fried potatoes. Can put them in anything you would put onions or garlic in. Nothing beats cleaning a big pail of leeks with a few pints......just make sure you sleep in the dog house that night....... I swear you can see the stink waves rising off your body......lol.

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Originally Posted by line052

I too would like a wild edibles section as well. I have spent the winter studying Ontario edibles and I ready for the morels, leeks and asparagus season. I had planned to go this weekend between turkey hunts, but we lost the wife's grandma last week and just got home yesterday from Woodstock. I hope to pick much wild edibles this year. Nice haul..

I have used this site all winter and also Ontario wild edibles book to teach myself identification features.
http://northernbushcraft.com/guide.p...region=Ontario

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cool, thanks for the resource!! I have the petersons guide to wild edibles, but i am holding off on mushrooms for now, since I want to really study them in depth before even trying. however two weeks ago I was in Kentucky, travelling through and we stopped at a national forest, and I found one morel mushroom. I picked it verified it was safe, than we kept driving (destination Georgia for a wedding), and I totally forgot about it for two days. when i finally remembered to cook it at our destination it was mouldy!

last season, I picked fiddleheads, leeks, raspberries and cranberries. I really think it adds a really cool element to hunting, and hiking.

any admins reading this? maybe a wild edibles section would be nice. I know lots of guys were mentioning it last year as well!!