Leek

A British winter staple with a long, generous harvest window. Sow early, transplant in summer and harvest through the coldest months when the garden is bare.

Waiting this month

Sow

Jan – Apr

Plant Out

Jun – Jul

Harvest

Sep – Dec

Type

Both

Difficulty

Growing Calendar

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Sow

Transplant

Harvest

This month: Apr

Plan ahead for this crop

•Check growing conditions
•Prepare for next stage

Sowing Guide

What you'd find on the seed packet

Sow Depth

1cm

Spacing

15cm

Germination

14–21days

Thinning

Thin to 5cm in the seedbed; transplant to final 15cm spacing

Grower's Note

The dibber method — drop into a hole, water in but don't backfill — creates the characteristic long white shank that makes leeks worth growing.

Growing Stages

Approximate weeks from sowing to harvest

Sprouting

2wks

Seeds germinate and first leaves emerge. Keep warm and moist.

Establishing

10wks

Root system develops and plant builds structure. Pot on if needed.

Maturing

16wks

Plant reaches full size and begins producing. Harvest at peak.

Total~28 weeksfrom seed to harvest

Companion Plants

CarrotCeleryOnionParsley

Climate Control

Today

—C

Humidity

—%

Water

Every 2–3 days

Sunlight

6+ hours direct sun

Watch Out For

! Leek moth tunnels through leaves from April — use fine mesh protection
! Rust (orange pustules on leaves) in warm, humid conditions — improve airflow
! Allium leaf miner causes white streaking — cover with insect mesh in spring and autumn