PlantFiles: Leek
Allium porrum

Leeks do quite well in our cool, moist climate. I start them indoors in the very early spring, as they are slow growers and our summers are short. I harvest in late fall, as they can withstand some heavy frosts.

Once harvested, I slice them up for dehydration, saving back a few for creamed sausage and leek soup. The flavor is more buttery than onion.

My preferred varieties are 'King Richard' (an early type that does not require hilling) and 'Blue Solase' (a lovely blue/green foliage.. a gourmet type).

The Leek is one of the national emblems of Wales. It comes from the Mediterranean area and has been cultivated for thousands of years.

Has broad, flat, lance like, mid-green to blue green, scented, ribbed leaves held opposite to each other. The lower part of the stem is white which is the main part eaten once the leaves are cut off the pale green parts are also used.

Leeks like a well drained soil in full sun but will stand a little shade. Prepare the bed with well rotted compost in the Autumn before sowing.

Sow seed in Spring when the ground is workable, Leeks, like onions, are a long season crop so the earlier the better. Sow indoors if necessary. Make rows half an inch deep and 6 inches apart. Sow the seed thinly in the rows. When the seedling straighten up thin out to half an inch apart. When the seedlings reach 8 inches tall or are as thick as a pencil they are ready to be transplanted. Lift with a fork taking care not to damage them, trim the root ends and leaf tips and plant them 6 inches apart in rows 12 inches apart. make a 6 inch deep hole, with something like a dibber for each transplant and gently fill the hole with water, do not fill with soil.

If you want longer white stems, when the transplants have settled into the bed and are growing well, earth up with dry soil a little at a time until mid October. Try not to get soil in between the leaves because grit will fall down there ard remain waiting for you to take a bite into it.

You can start to harvest leeks when they are small around the end of September/October time. Leave the leeks in the ground until you want to use them they are very hardy and can be left until February/March the following year.