Growing Leeks

allium porrum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

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

(Best months for growing Leeks in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed

April: Leeks need moist soil throughout their growth.

  • 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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As with anything that is going to be in the soil for an extended length of time (4 - 5 months), soil preparation is essential. Dig your soil over to the depth of a spade or garden fork, incorporating plenty of organic/humus, Rapid Raiser (Pelletised Chicken Manure), water crystals and a good complete fertiliser. Water soil well, leave for a day and then lay your Leeks in a deep trench 200 - 250mm (8-10") deep. Run a slow hose over the root zone, so that the roots are just covered with soil. Mix "Seasol" seaweed extract into a watering can and apply at rate recommended on the bottle at time of planting. As the Leeks grow, slowly place soil over the base of the stem ( makes for a nice white leek) otherwise the stems will be green, and still edible. Fertilise with a good Liquid Fertiliser such as "Thrive" or "Miracle Grow." Leeks are gross feeders and like the soil to be moist all the time, they also like being planted into a clay loam soil. Enjoy!

- aussiecuttlefish

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