Growing Leeks

allium porrum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
  S S                  
      T T              
      P P P            

(Best months for growing Leeks in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • Easy to grow. Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 46°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 4 - 8 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-18 weeks. Loosen with a fork rather than pull by hand..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Carrots

Your comments and tips

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22 Nov 09, Vicki (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Wash, chop and steam the green leaves of the leek for a tasty side dish to chicken/fish/meat and mash potatoes. You can also saute the chopped leaves in butter or add them to soups and stews. Delicious!
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12 Oct 09, Maureen (Australia - temperate climate)
I have some Leeks growing at the moment and they have a round ball shape at the top of the plant is this usual
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25 Jul 09, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hey Rhonda, let us know how your hose blanching goes! I just pile up mulch.
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10 Jul 09, Rhonda (Australia - temperate climate)
I had a hose, about 6cm diameter, cut it into lengths of about 20 cms, put one over each plant. Hope that this will work for the "blanching". What do you think Chris.?
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28 Jun 09, Rhonda (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted some seedlings today. Will I use soil or mulch to put around them as they (hopefully) grow?:
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22 May 09, David (Australia - temperate climate)
Amanda. Depends on what size leeks you want. the closer they are the smaller they are. I work on 15cm between plants, gives a nice size.
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21 May 09, Amanda (Australia - temperate climate)
Have planted my leeks from seedlings. Do I need to separate them into individual plants and replant?
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15 May 09, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Something I recently found out about leeks - maybe everyone else already knows this: Instead of harvesting by pulling up the entire plant, you can just cut it off close to the ground (I use strong kitchen scissors) and the leek plant just keeps growing. It ready for its next harvest sooner than waiting for another plant to grow from seed :-)
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30 Sep 10, Heather Pearson (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Sounds interesting - will try it. Tried a french lady's tip (from this site) of lifting when 25cms or so, removing third of roots and tops and replanting. Worked a treat and leeks grew so long and fat.
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20 Jan 09, willo (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi Jacqu, leeks are "gross" feeders, I.e. Prefer lots of manure, rich soil/compost and water (make sure manure isn't too fresh or plants will burn). I wouldn't worry too much about them, they tend to be slow starters and at least they are still alive!
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Showing 91 - 100 of 102 comments
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I grow lots of leeks not far from Melbourne. the only time I have had a failure is when I used a cheap seed raising mix. I recommend a good quality seed raising mix and buy good quality seeds. I grow musselburgh, lyon prize taker and carentan 2 with great success. I find seeds which are fresher have a greater success rate and after a couple of years they may drop to around 50% but you still get some growing. In a 24 cell tray plant approx 4 seeds per cell, you will find most will grow but leeks do not mind some root disturbance when transplanting, just tease them apart and plant them in a hole about 30 mm diameter and 150 mm deep. When planting them in your seed trays plant the seed approx 10 mm deep and keep moist not saturated but do not let them dry out.

- Travis Edwards

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