• Autumn Giant Leek - Heirloom Seeds - gardenalchemystore
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Allium porrum

Autumn Giant Leek - Heirloom Seeds

Leeks are a cool weather crops and appreciate a frost or two for better flavour development. Related to onions, but offering a milder sweeter flavour, this monster variety can grow as tall as 30 inches!

Days to Maturity 90-100

Packet Contains appx 80 Sds

$3.50 CAD
$3.50 CAD
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Growing Leeks - Benefits and Instructions

 

 

Benefits of Growing Leeks

  • Cost Saving- Although leeks look like a larger version of green onions, they tend to have a hefty price tag at the grocery store. 
  • Medicinal- Leeks can help loosen phlegm and help with throat disorders. Related to garlic and onions, leeks contain some of the same anti-cancer compounds
  • Nutritional Profile - Leeks contain calcium, magnesium, copper and manganese.
  • Use in: Soups, stews, grilled, braised.

To our Allium/Onion Family Collection

 

Growing Instructions

Culture:

Sun Exposure: Full sun.
Soil:  Soil pH of 6.0-6.5. They are moderate feeders and require very deep, rich soil. Add compost and well-rotted manure prior to planting.
Moisture:  Use mulch to conserve moisture and to keep the weeds down. Good soil moisture helps to keep the stems tender and juicy. Water during dry spells.
Planting: Start indoors 8-10 weeks prior to the last frost. Once soil can be worked in the spring, seedlings may be set in a trench about 5 inches deep, filling in enough soil to cover the roots. Gradually fill the trenches in during the season. Planting this way blanches the shaft. 
Spacing:   Plant 9 leeks  per square foot of growing space using Square Foot Gardening Method.  Or plant in rows 24 inches apart.
Sow seeds: Sow seed 1⁄4 inches deep and provide a soil temperature of 24 degrees C with even moisture. 

 

Harvesting:

Harvest in late summer or early fall before frost. The shafts should be 11⁄2 inches-2 inches in diameter. Mulch with straw if frost threatens.

Storage/Preparation:

Storing the entire unwashed leeks in the fridge with the plastic bag can keep this ingredient for up to 2 weeks. Otherwise, you can freeze and preserve them for up to 3 months.

Companions:

Bush bean, beet, carrot, celery, garlic, onion, parsley, tomato.

To our Allium/Onion Family Collection