Leeks take up a lot of space over a long growing

season so they need careful planning on where to

grow.

They are part of the onion family, but they are

ready to harvest in autumn as onions are getting ready 

to finish.

They need deep, rich soil, that has manure/ compost added the previous year.

They ideally need full sun to thrive

 

 

Sowing/ Planting

As they have along growing season you can raise them in a seedbed and then plant out when they are large enough

Sowing mainly takes place in late sinter to early spring if you are sowing indoors

Mid season can be sown outdoors in a seed bed in march to april

5*c soil tempt is needed for germination 

Transplant out from may to july

They are ready to transplant when they are 10-20cm tall 

If the small plant is 20cm tall you want to plant at a 15cm depth to keep bottom blanched

You need to plant 15cm apart from each plant with rows 30cm apart

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Water really well when transplanting and keep well watered during dry spells

Build up the soil around the base of the plant to keep the bottoms white and tender

Feed every 2 weeks in the summer as they are really hungry plants

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Harvest

First crops take around 30 weeks 

Main crops take around 40 weeks 

Most will happily sit in soil for 3 months and late will survive the hardest of winters

Once picked use quickly as they do not store well 

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Varieties

Crusader = hardy late

Musselburgh = mid season 

Northern lights = the leaves get a purple tinge

Oarsmen = vigorous mid season that bulks up fast

Pancho = early variety