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How to grow Leeks in the UK

Sow them in spring and pick them all through winter.

• DifficultyA bit more care
• WhereBeds
• Grows to50cm
• Spacing15cm
• Time to first pickabout 24 weeks

When to sow, plant and harvest leeks

Dates are for central England. Sow about two weeks later in the north and Scotland, and up to two weeks earlier in the south and south west. Get the dates for your postcode.

Sowing it outdoors

1. Pull out any weeds and rake the top of your bed until it's crumbly, like cake crumbs
2. Make a little line in the soil (1cm deep) with your finger or a stick
3. Drop the seeds in, about 15cm apart in the row, with rows 30cm apart
4. Gently cover them with soil and pat it down
5. Water with a watering can that has a sprinkler head
6. Push in a label so you remember what's there

Planting it

1. Water your new plants in their pots first
2. Dig a hole a bit bigger than the pot
3. Tip the plant out gently, holding the leaves, not the stem
4. Pop it in the hole, firm the soil around it, and water well
5. Space the plants about 15cm apart in the row, with rows 30cm apart

Top tips for growing leeks

• Sow in a little row, then move them when they're pencil-thin.

Looking after leeks

• Week 10: Move them: make a deep hole with a stick, drop a leek in, and fill the hole with water (no soil!)

Soil and feeding

Rich, moist soil packed with goodness. These are hungry plants. Dig a hole (or make a mound) and fill it with manure or compost before planting, then feed every week or two once the fruit starts.

Pests and problems

• Allium leaf miner: a tiny fly whose maggots tunnel into onion-family stems in spring and autumn

• Cover with fine insect mesh (like 'Enviromesh') on hoops - the holes are too small for flies and butterflies
• Bury or weigh down the edges so nothing can crawl underneath

Harvesting and eating leeks

Dig them up whenever they're thick enough. They're fine to leave in the ground in winter.

How to eat them: Slice and melt in butter, or add to potato soup.

Storing leeks

Keeps 1-2 weeks.

• Leave them in the ground and dig as you need them
• Once dug, keep in the fridge

Wash well, slice, and freeze in bags for soups and pies.

Good varieties of leeks

• Musselburgh: Stands all winter - pick when you need it.
• King Richard: Long, slim leeks from late summer.

Companion planting

Grows well with

• Carrots: the leek smell hides carrots from carrot fly
• Salad leaves: lettuce grows quickly between young leeks

Keep away from

• Peas: leeks can stunt peas
• Broad beans: leeks can stunt beans
• Runner beans: leeks can stunt beans
• French beans: leeks can stunt beans

Saving your own leeks seed

It only makes seed in its second summer.

1. This plant flowers in its second year, so leave one or two strong plants in the ground over winter
2. Next summer they grow tall and flower - bees love them
3. Cut the seed heads when they're brown and dry, and shake out the seeds
4. Cabbage-family plants cross with each other, so seed may not come true

Things to build for leeks

• Hoop tunnel cover:

Where to buy leeks seeds

Thompson & Morgan · Suttons · Amazon

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Leeks questions

When should I sow leeks in the UK?

In the UK, sow leeks outdoors from mid March to late April. These dates suit central England; sow about two weeks later in the north and Scotland and up to two weeks earlier in the mild south and south west.

When do I plant out leeks?

Plant leeks out from early June to mid July.

When can I pick leeks?

Leeks is ready from mid September to late March. Dig them up whenever they're thick enough. They're fine to leave in the ground in winter.

How long do leeks take to grow?

Roughly 24 weeks from sowing or planting until the first harvest.

Are leeks easy to grow?

Leeks are rated 'a bit more care' for beginners, and can be grown in the ground or a raised bed.