Leek - Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum
Full sun.
Jul–Sep depending on sowing time.
Mar–May outdoors after risk of frost.
40–60cm height; 30–50cm spread.
Overview
A hardy winter vegetable producing thick, mild-flavoured stems. Plant deeply to create longer white shanks and keep watered while plants establish. Leeks can be harvested over a long period. Perfect for soups, pies, gratins and slow-cooked dishes.
- Vegetable Type: Leek
- Key Characteristic: Mild-flavoured stems perfect for soups, pies and winter dishes.
- Hardiness: Hardy (tolerates normal UK winter conditions).
PLANTING ADVICE
Plant in well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. Best grown in the ground, though smaller types can be grown in deep containers.
- Outdoor cultivation
Best grown outdoors in well-prepared soil in full sun or light shade depending on crop.
- Greenhouse cultivation
Not suitable for greenhouse cultivation.
CARE & HARVEST
Keep soil moist and weed free. Keep beds free from weeds and avoid overwatering once bulbs begin to swell. Allow foliage to yellow naturally before harvesting and dry bulbs thoroughly before storing.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist to produce tender stems.
- Feeding: Apply a general-purpose fertiliser in early growth, but stop feeding once bulbs begin to swell.
- Cutting and prunning: Remove any damaged or diseased growth as needed.
- Harvesting: Harvest when stems are thick and well blanched. Can be lifted as needed through autumn and winter.
- Pest and diseases: Monitor regularly for pests and remove affected growth promptly.
VERVE RECOMMENDS...
- Harvest little and often to keep plants productive and performing at their best.