best time to plant leek seeds Early Giant Leek (95 Days)

best time to plant leek seeds Early Giant Leek (95 Days)Leeks have a more delicate, sweet flavor than onions and can grow into incredible sized stalks when supplied with lots of organic matter and water. In the north we usually start our leeks indoors then transplant outside to give them a head start. But, this season we direct seeded the Early Giant Leek. We thinned out the row, used all the tender, baby leeks up and by early September we had 2 sized stalks. 200 seeds Please note that germination rates

Leeks have a more delicate, sweet flavor than onions and can grow into incredible sized stalks when supplied with lots of organic matter and water. In the north we usually start our leeks indoors then transplant outside to give them a head start. But, this season we direct seeded the Early Giant Leek. We thinned out the row, used all the tender, baby leeks up and by early September we had 2” sized stalks.   

200 seeds

Please note that germination rates for alliums (onions/shallots/chives/leeks) decline rapidly. We strongly encourage you to purchase new seed each growing season.

PLANTING

Allium ampeloprasm

Germination: 5-10 days

Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 60-75ºF. 

Seed Sowing Depth: 1/4" deep

Sowing Indoors: Start 8-10 weeks before the last frost with soil temperatures 60-75 ºF. Sow in flats 1/4” deep, 1/4” apart. Transplant seedlings out mid/late spring, 4-6” apart. Liquid fertilize seedlings every 7-10 days. Seedlings size should be about a pencil-thick at transplanting time.

Sowing Outdoors- Early to mid-spring when the soil temperature reaches at least 55-60 ºF. Sow 1-3 seeds per inch, thin to 4-6” apart. 

How much does a packet plant: 25-30 foot single row  

Harvest- Start harvesting baby leeks at 1/2” diameter and leave some for a larger end of season harvest.

Tips- The Early GIant Leek needs fertile, well-drained soil. Amend with compost or apply organic granular fertilizer. Adequate water is very important for optimum growth, 1" per week. You can plant leeks in a trench and as the plants mature, fill in around them to assist in blanching.