There are no products listed under this category.
This large, upright Allium variety does not form bulbs and matures into long, thick, blanched shanks with flat leaves that are 1 to 1 1/2 inches wide. Known for its hardiness and ease of care, it offers long, beautiful stems from autumn through spring, a time when other crops are scarce. With a mild onion flavor, both the green leaves and white shaft are edible. The plants grow to a height of two to three feet and have a width of approximately two inches.
Plant leeks in full sun or partial shade. Transplant them once early spring weather stabilizes and daytime temperatures reach at least 45°F.
Leeks are heavy feeders and require fertile soil (pH of 6.2-6.8) for best results.
Sow in flats in Feb.-March, 1/4" apart, 1/4" deep. Transplant to 1 1/2" plug flats when large enough to handle, or start in plug flats, thinning to one plant per cell.
TRANSPLANTING: Beginning in late spring, when approx. 8" tall and pencil-thick, transplant outdoors 6" apart, rows 24" apart in holes dibbled about 6" deep. Only 1-2" of leaves need extend above the soil surface. Do not firm soil - allow irrigation or rain to fill in the dibble hole.
DIRECT SEEDING: Sow in early spring, 6 seeds/ft., 1/4- 1/2" deep, in rows 24" apart. Thin to 6".
BLANCHING: To encourage extra-long, blanched stalks, hill the plants with soil two or three times during the growing period, making each mound higher than the last. This forces the leaves up, increasing the edible portion. If you use the "dibble method," hilling can be reduced or skipped.
Before transplanting, acclimate your young leeks to outdoor conditions by gradually increasing their exposure to the outdoors over 1-2 weeks. Transplant them when they reach 6-8 inches tall.
To transplant, use the "dibbing" method: poke holes into well-prepared soil that are about the same height as the leek seedlings' stems. You can use a purpose-built dibber or improvise with a broken spade handle or a hand tool like a trowel. Make one hole for each plant, spacing them 6 inches apart, with 12 inches between rows. For block planting, space them 7 inches apart each way.
Carefully remove the leeks from their pots, tease the roots apart if needed, and place them into the holes. Ensure the roots reach the bottom of the hole—trim them if necessary. After positioning the seedlings, fill the holes with water and let it drain. Do not fill in the soil immediately; it will naturally settle, allowing the stems to swell.
For long, white stems, blanch the leeks two to three weeks before harvest by drawing soil up around the stems to exclude light or by tying cardboard tubes around them.
4-6” distance in row and 18-36” between rows
Harvest when leeks reach your desired size. Use a spading fork to loosen soil and lift the plants. Trim roots and any damaged leaves, rinse well, and refrigerate. High-quality leeks have firm, white shafts at least 3" long with no swelling at the base. Some can be stored in moist sand or peat in a cool root cellar. Clean thoroughly, as soil can get trapped between layers. Hardy varieties tolerate down to 20°F, and with mulch protection, leeks can be dug well into winter.
Looking to get started by growing your own leeks from seed? Click on the button below to get started.
Shop nowThere are no products listed under this category.