Growing Leeks

allium porrum : Amaryllidaceae / the onion family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
S S             S S    
    T T             T T

(Best months for growing Leeks in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • Easy to grow. Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 46°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 4 - 8 inches apart
  • Harvest in 15-18 weeks. Loosen with a fork rather than pull by hand..
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Carrots
  • Almost ready to use
  • Leek

A member of the onion family. Looks rather like a large spring onion (scallion). Grow in seed trays or punnets until about 20 cm (8 in) tall. They look rather like large blades of grass at that stage. Then plant out into trenches or individual deep holes. The aim is to blanch the stems while the plants are growing. Trenches should be about 20 - 25 cm (8 - 10 in) deep. Set the seedlings 10 - 15 cm (4 - 6 in) apart then add enough soil to just cover the roots. As the plants grow fill the trench. Otherwise - make holes with a dibble or suitable stick 15 cm (6 in) deep and 3 - 4 cm (1.5 - 2 in) wide. Drop a seedling in each and water enough to cover the roots with soil. As they grow, watering will gradually fill the hole.

Leeks prefer moist clay soils. Keep soil moist and loose, mulch will help.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Leeks

Trim off the roots and any damaged leaves.
Young ones can be used whole with some of the green leaves.
Wash thoroughly as the earth tends to get inside.
Chop and fry in butter (or olive oil) until tender.
Can be added to casserole meals, allowing time to cook through.
Leek and mushroom make a tasty combination for a tart filling.

Your comments and tips

21 Dec 08, Deb (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Why have my leeks all gone hard and woody inside. They are beginning to flower but are still quite thin and woody
30 Dec 09, Demeter (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Same. I think I planted them too late last summer and now have gone to seed and virtually inedible. Planting more now.
17 Feb 11, lez Howard (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I always plant seeds on Nov 1st in a nursery bed ,use liquid feed to raise . Febuary I plant by the moon Calendar When planting I dib hole 150 mm deep ,place in two sheep pellets and water in . Trim tops and root before planting .If too hot cover in shade cloth, and water regulary until established. Have had good sucess in the past.
07 Feb 12, Susan Johnson (New Zealand - temperate climate)
How much root do you trim off before planting? How do you know when the leek is ready to harvest?
08 Jun 17, Shane Cave (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I live on a sand dune but with raised vegetable beds with added topsoil and lots of home made compost - made from kitchen and varied garden waste - but my leeks wont thicken. How can I get better leeks?
09 Jun 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Leeks prefer a moist clay type soil. I suggest you keep building your soil up with heavier soil, if you can get it, and plant your leeks closer together, making the most of smaller leeks in the meantime. Maybe leaving them in the ground a bit longer will help them to thicken.
03 Dec 18, Genevieve Radley (New Zealand - temperate climate)
What season are leeks harvested in NZ? Thanks :)
04 Dec 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Read the notes here about growing it. It tells you when to plant and how long until harvest.
08 Jan 19, michelle (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi have just dug up leeks as they seemed to go woody and flower so quick this year. I found lots of bulbs underground are just like elephant garlic, some with babies. Do they behave like garlic? or am I just finding previous elephant garlic bulbs left behind that have sprouted or maybe none of them were the leek plants at all that I purchased ? confused Michelle
10 Jan 19, Mike (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Sounds like you planted them late in the season. Look at the guide here - maybe plant seed March and transplant 4-6 weeks later. Then harvest 11-13 weeks later. They should look like a leek not garlic. Do some research on the internet - how to grow leeks.
Showing 1 - 10 of 16 comments

Read the notes here about growing it. It tells you when to plant and how long until harvest.

- Mike

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