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

Your comments and tips

24 Mar 19, Bertie (New Zealand - temperate climate)
My leeks never fatten up. I wonder why.
20 Apr 19, Derek R (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I have just lifted a fantastic crop of leeks. They grew so easily which I didn’t expect through the summer months but so happy they did. Would it be ok to replant leeks in the same soil for winter.
15 Mar 20, Annette (New Zealand - temperate climate)
We planted out four leeks and this morning one is completely gone and another has a small piece of stalk left. What would be eating them? Thanks
16 Mar 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
You probably have some hungry rabbits eating your leeks. Otherwise, when it is wet enough, slugs will chew them too.
07 Apr 22, Murray Patterson (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi Annette, It appears that you may have Cutworm problems. I have had these in my garden and they cut the small plant at the base. I have now got around this by planting my small plants in toilet rolls which I place in the ground and have about 5 cm above ground. Around this I have cut a hole in some tinfoil paper and placed it over the toilet roll so it has what you could call a skirt over the ground and this has cured my cutworm problem. They do not seem to like it at all. As they come out at night to eat I think the foil has deterred them. Murray
23 Aug 22, Antoine Scriverner (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Bertie, Try some keiserite.(magnesium sulphate) Its magic. But don't forget a good side dressing of super + blood & bone.
Showing 11 - 16 of 16 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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