How to intercrop leek

How to intercrop leek

The leek (Allium ampeloprasum L.) is a biennial herbaceous plant of the Amaryllidaceae family which is cultivated as a vegetable and used in cooking in various countries around the world.
This plant is often, mistakenly, grown in specialized crops but it benefits considerably from intercropping.
For intercropping, leeks grow well near carrots, celery, strawberries, cabbage, fennel, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes and onions. However, it is not recommended to grow them in association with peas and other legumes but it takes considerable advantage of the succession after these plants.
The leek can benefit from intercropping with different plants to promote growth and protect it from parasites. Below are some associations with leek with an indication of the positive effects:
Carrots: Carrots help repel flies and nematodes that can damage leeks. Additionally, leeks and carrots have similar soil needs and can grow well together.
Celery: Celery can be useful in repelling locusts and other insects harmful to leeks. Additionally, its deep root system can help improve soil drainage around the leek.
Strawberries: Strawberries are plants that can grow well near leeks, while also providing a ground cover that can help reduce the growth of unwanted weeds.
Lettuce: Lettuce can be planted near the leek to provide partial shade which can help protect the leek from excessive sun.
Spinach: Spinach is a fast-growing plant that can be grown alongside leek to quickly fill space and prevent weed growth.
Tomatoes: Although tomatoes have slightly different soil needs than the leek, they can still be planted near it to take advantage of vertical space and provide partial shade.
Onions: Onions can be grown alongside leeks as they share similar soil needs and can help each other repel harmful pests.
When growing these plants, always evaluate their pedoclimatic compatibility.