Leeks are typically categorized in keeping with their primary season of maturity—in several words, how quickly a variety reaches harvest degree. Planting cases more or less correspond to harvest cases even if there is also some overlap.
There are early, mid-season, and late-season leeks. Early types planted in spring will likely be ready in summer season or autumn; mid-season types planted in summer season will likely be ready in fall or early wintry climate, and late-season types planted in summer season or fall will likely be ready for harvest in late wintry climate or the following spring.
Earlier types are typically taller, paler, and have longer white shafts; they are moreover a lot much less hardy. Later types are shorter and broader with a lot much less white shaft and without end blue-green leaves; they are moreover hardier.
When to sow leeks seeds
Where the emerging season is long, leeks can also be sown inside the garden alternatively is preferable to start out out leeks indoors or in a seedbed where the tiny seedlings do not have to compete with weeds.
Early types are easiest started indoors in late wintry climate or early spring; they will have to be hardened off previous than transplanting to the garden.
Mid-season types can also be started indoors or outside in early to mid-spring. If sown outside, protect them with cloches.
Late-season types can also be started indoors or outside in late spring.
When to transplant leeks
Transplant leeks to the garden 10 to 15 weeks after sowing when they are about 8 inches (20cm) tall.
Leek dimension is influenced by way of spacing. For massive plants, space plants 9 inches (23cm) apart. For slimmer leeks, space plant 12 inches (30cm) apart.
Planting leeks
Leeks can also be planted on the flat—flat soil, alternatively they are most without end planted in holes that let for blanching of the stems.
Make a hole 6 to 8 inches (15-20cm) deep with a dibble. Place the leek inside the hole and water. Allow earth to fall into the hole naturally over the years; the soil will blanch the stem after all.
An alternate manner is to create a shallow V-shaped trench about 4 inches (10cm) massive at the bottom; plant the seedlings and then step-by-step fill the trench with soil to blanch the shafts.
Leeks can adapt to slightly numerous soils alternatively do easiest in humus-rich, well-drained soil. Leeks need whole sun alternatively will tolerate partial colour.
Begin to harvest leeks when they are useable in dimension. A layer of mulch will keep leeks in excellent state of affairs if they are to stick inside the garden for wintry climate harvest.
Leeks seed sowing dates
(The ones dates are for the Northern Hemisphere)
| Affordable date of the overall frost | Planting dates |
| Jan. 20 | Jan. 1-Feb. 1 |
| Feb. 8 | Jan. 1-Feb. 1 |
| Feb. 18 | Jan. 1-Feb. 15 |
| Feb. 28 | Jan. 15-Feb. 15 |
| Mar. 10 | Jan. 25-Mar. 1 |
| Mar. 20 | Feb. 1-Mar. 1 |
| Mar. 30 | Feb. 15-Mar. 15 |
| Apr. 10 | Mar. 1-Apr. 1 |
| Apr. 20 | Mar. 15-Apr. 15 |
| Apr. 30 | Apr. 1-Would perhaps 1 |
| Would perhaps 10 | Apr. 15-Would perhaps 15 |
| Would perhaps 20 | Would perhaps 1-Would perhaps 20 |
| Would perhaps 30 | Would perhaps 1-15 |
| June 10 | Would perhaps 1-15 |
Leeks planting details
- Sowing depth: ½ inch (1.2 cm)
- Space between plant after thinning: 3-4 inches (7.6-10cm)
- Days to sprout: 10-14
- Days to harvest: 75-190
- Storage length: 12-32 weeks
- Seeds in keeping with 100 row feet: ½ ounce (14 grams)
- Yield in keeping with 100 row feet: 100 pounds (45 kilos)
- Urged types: Early: Carlton, King Richard; Mid: Mammoth, Neptune Late: Inverno, Electra
Related articles of interest:
Recommendations on the right way to Expand Leeks
Leeks Seed Starting Tips
Emerging Leeks 12 months-Round in Tubes
