How to Grow

From seed

Sow seeds in potting mix in a seed tray.

Prepare garden bed for leeks to be transplanted later by loosening soil with a fork and adding Blood & Bone / Seaweed.

Once seedlings germinate feed weekly.

Allow seeds to grow to 10cm before transplanting.

Transplant and space 20cm apart.

From seedling

Once your seedlings are several inches tall, and 6-8 weeks before the last spring frost, prepare to plant your leeks outside.

If you are transplanting from a container, separate the seedlings without damaging their roots, just drop them in a big bowl of water.

Swish them around for a second or two.

If you are transplanting from a seed raising pot, make one hole in the soil for each seedling, following the space and depth guidelines.

Cover with soil, and water in.

Follow the row space, and seedling sow depth instructions.

Water in your seedlings well.

In a pot

Choose a pot 30cm wide and deep.

Follow seed-> seedling -> harvest guide.

Ready to harvest

Leek stem should be 2.5 cm wide.

Collect seed

As your leek harvest matures, select three to five of the best looking leek stalks and let them all go to seed.

That means you want to look for the healthiest and fattest leeks you have and let them grow a flower stalk.

The other stalks should be cut off to prevent spoiling the leek for its culinary use.

If you’ve ever seen any member of the allium family flowering, you’ll recognize a leek bloom immediately.

The leek seeds can be allowed to dry right on the stalk by simply leaving them there as the season progresses.

The flower head will dry and turn papery.

If you choose to dry on the stalk, watch the flower head carefully for signs that the dried flowers are opening.

To prevent losing your seed to the ground while it dries, rubber band a lunch-sized paper bag over the flower head.

If you have a muslin bag, you can use that, too.

This will ensure that your seed will fall inside your bag while it dries on the plant, instead of onto the ground.

If you live where rain will likely ruin the paper bag or cause rot inside a muslin one, cut the stalks and bring them inside when you notice the seeds are dark and the flowers have faded.

Invert your cut stalks and place them, head first, into a paper bag to hang them in a well-ventilated place to finish drying.