Allium porrum
Nicknamed the poor man's asparagus because of the way its tender white stalk is enjoyed, the leek has been a staple of vegetable gardens since ancient times: the Egyptians and Romans were already cultivating it, and Emperor Nero is said to have been a great fan. Even today, this emblematic winter vegetable remains a mainstay of the French kitchen garden, as hardy as it is generous, and deserves a prime spot in your garden.
Characteristics:
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Winter hardiness: leeks can remain in the ground throughout winter and be harvested as needed, making them an ideal choice for seasonal gardens.
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Easy to grow: this vegetable requires little maintenance and is suitable for both beginner and experienced gardeners.
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A family-cooking classic: slowly simmered in soups and leek fondue, or simply steamed, it has been one of the most widely used vegetables in French cuisine for generations.
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Growing conditions: it prefers a mild, temperate and humid climate, and withstands extreme temperatures well, down to -20 °C. Choose a sunny position and loose, deep, cool, well-drained, humus-rich soil.
Sowing advice:
- Leeks are traditionally sown in pots or in a seedbed rather than directly in the ground: this provides better protection for young shoots against insects and slugs, and means that only well-developed plants are transplanted at the most suitable time.
- Sow from February to September, indoors or under cover in winter and early spring, or in an outdoor seedbed as soon as the weather improves.
- Pre-soaking the seeds is not necessary for leeks: their fine seeds germinate well without soaking, unlike larger seeds or those with a hard coating.
- Prepare the soil by raking it and removing stones to ensure good drainage.
- Stagger sowings to extend the harvest period — see our month-by-month sowing calendar to plan your sowing schedule.
Planting advice:
- Transplant the young plants when they are about pencil-sized, spacing each plant approximately 10 to 15 cm apart.
- Lightly trim the roots and foliage before transplanting to encourage establishment.
Harvesting advice:
- Harvest as needed, from autumn through the heart of winter, depending on the variety and sowing date.
- Leeks can be stored in the ground: there is no need to harvest them all at once; they will patiently wait in the garden.
Beneficial pairings:
- In the vegetable garden, leeks grow particularly well alongside carrots: the smell of the leek disrupts the carrot fly, while the carrot keeps the leek moth away. Discover other good companions in our article on the best vegetable pairings in the kitchen garden.
Uses:
- Both the white and green parts of the leek can be cooked: in fondue, soup or tart, or simply pan-fried or steamed as a side dish.
Symbolism:
The leek is one of the national emblems of Wales, traditionally worn on Saint David's Day in remembrance of a Welsh victory in which the soldiers are said to have distinguished themselves from one another by wearing a leek.
Harvesting your own seeds:
The leek is a biennial plant: seeds sown this year produce leeks ready to harvest from winter onward, but if you leave one or two plants undisturbed in the ground, they will grow for a second year, flower the following spring and produce their own seeds in autumn. Leave the flower heads to dry on the plant, then collect the black seeds once they come away easily. This allows you to resow your own leeks year after year, completely self-sufficiently — the very essence of open-pollinated seeds.
Commitment to Quality: at SemiSauvage - Permaculture, we grow and select our seeds with respect for all living things as our guiding principle. Based near the Auvergne Volcanoes, we choose open-pollinated, non-hybrid varieties, tested for their germination rate, sorted and carefully packaged, with no chemical treatment. Our belief: to give gardeners back the ability to resow, year after year, seeds that truly belong to them.
Add a touch of freshness to your vegetable garden with these quality leek seeds, for generous harvests throughout the winter.
Did you know?
When should leek seeds be sown? From February to September, ideally in pots or a seedbed before transplanting, with staggered sowings to spread out the harvest.
