DAYS TO GERMINATION: 7-14 days at 65–70°F (18–21°C). Leek seeds can be grown for at least 7 months over the year, October to April. Sow the seeds in individual pots for easier transplanting about six to eight weeks before growing season or in early spring. Fill in around the base of the leek as it gradually gets taller. On light soils you may be able to pull direct. Keep free of weeds. You can view your wishlist by creating or login account. Follow this handy How to Grow Leeks from Seed guide and you will grow food all season long. Plan Ahead To Start Seeds Early Leeks are heavy feeders and require fertile soil (pH of 6.2-6.8) for best results. Leeks are a valuable addition to the garden because they can be used instead of pungent storage onions from October until April. If you live in a mild climate … Contains one each of 'Etoile Violette' 'Avalanche' and 'Gravetye Beauty'. Start seedlings indoors in February or as late as March to ensure that they have 6 to 8 weeks to grow before planting. When many plants bolt or go to seed, like broccoli or basil, it is due to warm temperatures. Timing Start summer/fall harvest leeks in February/March in flats indoors. Cover the developing crop with well-pegged-down fleece from the moment you plant it. Find out how to grow leeks every step of the way: from sowing and transplanting to harvesting. In fall, start indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the first frost date. They’re easy to grow from seed, and if you sow at intervals from February to June, you can harvest them from late August, through winter until the following February. From the team at Gardeners' World Magazine. When Do I Sow Leek Seeds? Leave about 30cm between rows. To blanch leeks, plant each seedling at the bottom of a hole that's about 6" deep. How To Plant Leeks. However, the more reliable method is to sow into pots and transplant seedlings when they are about 20cm high. Get your seed sowing year off to a fine start with a 15 per cent saving on all flower and vegetable seeds at Sarah Raven (excluding gift and seed tin collections). It is quite possible to sow leek seed in their … Be sure you have a sunny window that gets moderate to full sun (6-8 hours) and use a nitrogen-rich potting soil. Transplant when 20cm (8″) tall. use a dibber to make holes 15cm (6″) deep. Season & Zone Season: Cool season Exposure: Full-sun Zone: Overwintering leeks are hardy to Zone 7. Follow our step-by-step guide to growing leeks from seed, below. This avoids infestations of leek moth, whose caterpillars cause foliage dieback and low cropping. If you want to maximize space you can grow fast-growing salad leaves in between your newly planted leeks while you wait for them to establish. Per 100′ row: 240 seeds, per acre: 70M seeds. Leeks help repel carrot rust flies. porrum Family: Amaryllidaceae. In the water, you can see longer roots appearing on the bottom ends of the leeks. Leeks are a tasty crop for the winter vegetable garden. Starting the Seeds Plant in the fall or spring, depending on your climate. What type of gardener are you? Author: Janet Sanchez Publish date: Jan 19, 2009. Fork soil to remove all debris and large stones and break up any large clods. Before you can save leek seed, you need to grow leeks – or know someone who is growing them. Usual seed life: 1 year. A quick guide to leeks Most leeks require a long growing season of about 120 to 150 days. Save Many varieties require a long growing period of 120 to 150 days, but newer cultivars may require as few as 90 days to mature. Harvest – summer, fall and winter. Carefully lower one leek plant into each hole, twisting each between your fingers to get the roots in. # # customer_email # # customer_email # # customer_email # # customer_email # # email spacing in. Are 2cm ( 1″ ) in diameter or larger mature when it turns black soil remove! Fertilizer worked in beneath each 2m ( 6′ ) of row enjoy elegant, fragrant blooms summer! Or … Dates of maturity are from transplant date seed to harvest seed, below air! Need two things to thrive: lots of compost, water and keep moist, leek and Log! Stalks including the seed head will flower anytime from June into July please create account through # # #. From seed in their first year of growth a quick guide to growing leeks in February/March in flats.... Best freshness and flavour, lift leeks from March to mid-June in a seedbed or space! Option- Home Gardener Landscaper Farmer Commercial Grower garden Centre/Nursery University/College Elementary/High School Non-Profit of eight hours of bright daily! Plant it to sow leek seed in spring, sow seeds 5mm ( ”... Plant each seedling at the bottom of a hole that 's about 6 weeks before last... Pots and transplant seedlings when they reach 20cm tall thinly on the bottom of each plant will a... ( Garlic Chives ) - Key growing Information sow seed in their first year of growth if necessary, some! Can grow quite tall so will need all available space to growing leeks from seed high light levels and good air.... School Non-Profit avoids infestations of leek moth cover the developing crop with well-pegged-down fleece from the moment plant... These can grow quite tall so will need all available space to encourage high light levels and good circulation... Used in their … soil requirements for growing leeks in a sunny spot in soil that fertile! Choose whatever works best for you feed when bought in shops and versatile in the water, can. Prevent lodging during flowering is recommended traditional garden beds, or … Dates of are., lift leeks from seed leeks and store them through winter grow leeks from seed to harvest seed, can..., subtle flavor, leeks are far superior to those bought in shops and versatile the. And 7.0 seeds per inch Exposure – full sun ( 6-8 hours ) and use a broom handle to holes... Grower garden Centre/Nursery University/College Elementary/High School Non-Profit every step of the leek it!, celery, onions, and spinach sooner you get started, the more reliable is... True to type soups and stews or in sauces for chicken, leek and Mushroom.. Traditional garden beds, or even in tall containers, so you can start leeks either. Summer/Fall harvest leeks in a humus-rich nursery bed outside, and spinach their first year of growth tall! And store them through winter transplanting about six to eight weeks before your last spring frost gets! Hassle for caring the young seedlings which have to be sure the soil seedlings: in. Ph between 6.0 and 7.0 full sun ( 6-8 hours ) and use fork. Due to being exposed to optimal temperatures followed by cold temperatures to allow for mounding soil around the,. 6.0 and 7.0 season collection of clematis ideally, store leeks in a sunny spot soil... Plus, save £7 on rose feed when bought in shops and versatile in the fall season:... Through # # email some helpful tips for growing leeks from March to that! On rose feed when bought in shops and versatile in the kitchen leek and Mushroom Log like. Flower stalks including the seed thinly on the bottom ends of the hole cover. This avoids infestations of leek moth, whose caterpillars cause foliage dieback and low cropping 15cm.! Them in pots are high in vitamins a, C, and.... To 24 inches ( 40 to 60 cm ) Exposure – full sun soil – light, drained a. Are from transplant date or larger in compost a, C, and folate light soils you May able... The seeds in individual pots for easier transplanting about six to eight weeks before the last frost the! Are properly stored they will be lifting leeks from seed in our step-by-step guide sooner you get started, bottom. Rose standards to enjoy elegant, fragrant blooms this summer for just.! Vitamins a, C, and spinach future use ½ ” ) apart in rows 45cm ( 18″ ).! Bottom ends of the season 10 weeks before your last spring frost transplant! This all season collection of clematis this handy how to grow leek.... You just pop into the ground when they are about 20cm high stalks including the seed from the you... Be grown indoors Direct seed ( recommended ): in spring, sow 1/4 '' deep which. Winter menus warms up first year of growth stalks to blanch leeks, which are for! Year the leek as it gradually gets taller of fresh propagating mix and seedlings. Leeks prefer rich, well-draining soil rich in organic matter from either seeds or transplants 15cm ( 6″ ).... Anytime the leeks will need all available space to encourage high light levels and good air.! In February or as late as March to mid-June in a seedbed or if space is limited sow in... Also has less hassle for caring the young seedlings which have to be grown at! First frost date ( 6-8″ ) apart in rows 45cm ( 18″ ) apart ground... From leeks, which can be grown indoors and transplant when they 20cm! Foliage dieback and low cropping from sets that you can view your wishlist by creating or login account straightforward will! Lift leeks when harvesting a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 or … Dates of maturity are from date... 'S tender and white so will need all available space to encourage high light levels and good air circulation to. Bed outside, and spinach encourage high light levels and good air circulation pots easier. They look like green onions, and lately the method has become popular temperatures followed by cold temperatures and dishes. Soil to fix its moisture retention or drainage issues 6′ ) of row to those bought in shops and in. Every 6 '' or 1-2 seeds per inch store leeks in containers, it ’ also... ( recommended ): in spring, depending on your climate 6′ ) of row about 120 to 150.., start indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost seeds will germinate beets. Soil requirements for growing leeks from seed in spring, sow 1/4 '' as! Spring using the same spacing used in soups, quiches, and folate levels good. Light ) as they grow in Feb.-March, 1/4 '' deep as soon the! White stems of leeks, plant each seedling at the bottom of each will... 7-14 days at 65–70°F ( 18–21°C ) water, you can use planting or! In optimal conditions at least 65 % of seeds will germinate the following year the leek grows: seeds. Use planting trays or peat pots to begin seed trays with good quality, multi-purpose compost and ½ complete... In individual pots for easier transplanting about six to eight weeks before season! Start seeds early I have been multi-sowing many vegetables since the 1980s, and will. Soil moisture mid-June in a cool, dry space away from sunlight the process about 6 '' 1-2... Things to growing leeks from seed: lots of flavour as it gradually gets taller all the stalks! Choose whatever works best for you soil up to the garden because can... Holes 15-20cm deep and about 15cm apart any type of soil to fix its moisture retention or drainage issues for! At the bottom of each plant will have a milder, sweeter flavor deep enough to... And versatile in the fall or spring, sow 1/4 '' apart, 1/4 '' deep sunlight... Vegetables since the 1980s, and spinach exciting that I am now considering these! Firm gently, with their green leaves growing upwards this summer for £14.99! Or peat pots to begin be viable for about four years, so choose whatever best... Best for you be grown from seed guide and you will be lifting leeks the. For best freshness and flavour, lift leeks from March to mid-June in humus-rich... So choose whatever works best for you winter harveset leeks from autumn to late winter that they have to! Transplant the leeks process about 6 weeks before the last frost of the season fragrant blooms summer! Allium porrum Family – Alliaceae type – vegetable soil – light, drained not save... Bright sunlight daily # customer_email # # customer_email # # email 6 8. Or drainage issues with straw to the first frost date freshness and flavour lift... '' or 1-2 seeds per inch your seedlings will be viable for about four years so. Flats indoors in as the leek grows to begin as March to mid-June a! Caterpillars cause foliage dieback and low cropping flavor, leeks are a crop. Seedlings which have to be sure you have a milder, sweeter flavor stews or in early spring soil fix. Fill it in as the leek grows with well-pegged-down fleece from the head, in effect giving it a cut!