King Richard Organic Leek

Nature & Nurture Seeds

Allium ampeloprasum

$4.99

Pkt(≈150 seeds)
75 days. We love leeks and think they are seriously underappreciated! Much easier to grow than standard onions, they are versatile in the kitchen and can be used in almost any recipe calling for onions. King Richard leek is early, with long, thick, sweet stems that have a mild flavor. It can be harvested in summer or grown for the fall too. Plants tolerate temperatures as low as 20⁰F. Unlike bulb onions, the whole plant is eaten. Erica especially loves Amanda’s recipe of sautéed leeks browned in butter. (Days to maturity are from transplants, if direct sowing add 25 days).

Direct sow in early spring, once soil is workable. 6 seeds per foot, 1/4” deep, rows 24” apart. Thin to 6”. Leeks can also be started inside, in Feb.-March. Days to germination 4-13. Transplant in late spring when plants are about 8-10” tall and pencil thick. Transplant 6” apart in rows spaced 24”, only leaving 2” of leaves above the soil. Use irrigation to fill in soil around the plant, do not compact with hand or tool. For longer blanched stems, hill the soil up around the plants 2-3 times during growing season. Leeks grow best in fertile soil with little weed pressure.