Basics
- Ease of Growing
- Easy
- Grown as
- Annual
- Days to Maturity
- 90-100 (Spring/Summer), 90-100 (Fall/Winter)
- Growing Habit
- -
- Hardiness
- Hardy
Leeks can be extremely frost tolerant and are considered to be one of the hardiest winter crops.
- Crops
- Fall Transplant
- Growing Season
- Long
- Cultivar Type
- -
- Growing Conditions
- Cold, Cool, Warm
In areas with hot summers and mild winters, leeks do best as an overwintering crop. This should be started in early summer (indoors or out). Best to plant when climate is cool, for most this means Spring and Fall.
- Outdoor Growing Temp
- 45°F - 85°F
- Min Outdoor Soil Temp
- 50°F
Leek seed germinates fairly well in cold soil.
- Start Indoors
- Yes
- Start Outdoors
- No
- Light
- Sun: min. 6 hours daily (Cold, Cool, Warm)
Leeks do best in full sun, though they will tolerate some shade.
- Water
- Moderate
Leeks grow best in moist soil. Give the plants constant moisture and apply a mulch.
- Feeder
- Moderate
Moderate nitrogen. Moderate potassium. Moderate phosphorous.
Leeks aren't a very hungry plant.
- Suitability
- Tolerates light frost, Tolerates hard frost, Partial shade
- Small Gardens?
- Yes
- Containers?
- Yes
You can grow leeks in a container. Make sure that your container is 12" deep and has drainage holes. Fill with a mixture of potting soil and compost to a level about 4" below the top of the container, which will give you room to blanch the leeks later by adding layers of compost or soil. In hot weather you should keep them out of direct sun.
- Attracts beneficial insects?
- No
- Color
- White
- Fruit Size
- - "
- Plant Height
- 14.0 - 20.0"
- Plant Diameter
- 3.0 - 6.0"
- Hardiness Zone
- 3-10
- Disease Resistance
- -
- Taste Profile
Excellent, mild onion flavor.
- Rotation Group
- Roots: Alliums + Umbeliferae