Leek
8
3
1Will it grow where I live?
Leek is hardy to zone 6, which covers nearly all of Central Europe and the British Isles; only harsh upland sites (Alps, high ridges) call for winter protection.
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Profile
- Family
- Amaryllidaceae
- Habit
- biennial
- Height
- 0.9 m
- Spread
- 0.3 m
- Growth
- fast
- Lifespan
- 5 years
- First yield
- after 2 years
- Hardiness
- zone 6–9
- Shade tolerance
- full sun
- Soil
- Sand, Silt, Clay
- Soil moisture
- semi-dry – moist
- pH
- 5.3 – 8.6
Flowering & harvest
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowering | ||||||||||||
| Leaf harvest |
Uses
Growing
Leeks prefer a sunny position in fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.2 to 8.3. They tolerate heavy clay soils and require consistent moisture during the growing season. Sow seeds in early spring in seedbeds and transplant seedlings in April. Earth up soil around stems to blanch and produce tender white stems. Water deeply every 2-3 days rather than lightly daily. Fertilize regularly with balanced fertilizer. Harvest when stems are 1-6 cm thick, preferably before soil freezes.
Frequently asked questions
Leek: how big does it get?
Leek (Allium porrum) grows as a biennial and reaches roughly 0.9 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 0.3 m. Growth is fast.
Leek: what site does it need?
Leek tolerates full sun. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Clay. Soil moisture should be in the range semi-dry – moist. The pH may lie between 5.3 and 8.6.
Leek: is it hardy?
Leek is listed as hardy in zone 6–9 and survives normal winters outdoors there.
Leek: will it grow in Central Europe?
Leek is hardy to zone 6, which covers nearly all of Central Europe and the British Isles; only harsh upland sites (Alps, high ridges) call for winter protection.
Leek: when does it flower?
In a temperate northern-hemisphere climate it flowers from July to August.
Leek: is it poisonous?
Individual parts of Leek are noted as mildly problematic — the plant does not count as poisonous. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone, only on a confident identification.
Leek: what is it used for?
Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 8/10, Medicinal 3/10, Other uses 1/10.
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