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(Best months for planting Leeks in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

• Easy to grow.
• Harvest in 105-130 days
• Grow in seed trays, and plant out in 4-6 weeks. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
• Best planted at soil temperatures between 8°C and 30°C.
• Space plants: 10-15cm

A member of the onion family. Looks rather like a large scallion or spring onion Grow in seed trays or punnets until about 20cm (8in) tall. They look rather like large blades of grass at that stage. Then plant out into trenches or individual deep holes. The aim is to blanch the stems while the plants are growing. Trenches should be about 20-25cm (8-10in) deep. Set the seedlings 10-15 cm (4 - 6in) apart then add enough soil to just cover the roots. As the plants grow fill the trench. Otherwise - make holes with a dibble or suitable stick 15 cm (6 in) deep and 3-4 cm (1.5 - 2 in) wide. Drop a seedling in each and water enough to cover the roots with soil. As they grow, watering will gradually fill the hole.

Leeks prefer moist clay soils. Keep soil moist and loose, mulch will help.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Leeks

Trim off the roots and any damaged leaves.
Young ones can be used whole with some of the green leaves
Wash thoroughly as the earth tends to get inside.
Chop and fry in butter (or olive oil) until tender.
Can be added to casserole meals, allowing time to cook through.
Leek and mushroom make a tasty combination for a tart filling.

Your comments and tips

22 Jan 10 Carol (New Zealand - temperate climate)

I am about to grow leeks for 2n time. I have read that I should make holes 25cm deep & 20cms apart . Intoeach hole, drop a leek plant , pour in a little water and not to fill in the plant with any soil as the plant soon swells in girth. Is this right?

29 Jan 10 Rosie (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

I planted my leeks roughly 3 mths ago, they were so to start, but now are looking good, except not as big as the supermarket ones, but i have been slack at watering the garden this year. i read a post earlier regarding baby leeks, are they nicer when younger compared to the big supermarket variaties?

06 Mar 10 Heather Pearson (New Zealand - temperate climate)

re 19 Jan 10 JOSE I have tried Jose's tip with half my leeks and they are certainly growing well so far. I look forward to comparing the results.

07 Mar 10 Heather Pearson (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

Rosie, 29 Jan 10 I start using my leeks while still small and they taste great. I plant my surplus in a clump and they continue to grow into bamboo stake sized, useful for all sorts or recipes using leeks.

12 Mar 10 Nairn (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)

New to growing leeks, I now have have them in the ground and they are standing up nicely. When can I fertilize them and with what?

18 Apr 10 Maureen (New Zealand - temperate climate)

To grow fantastic leeks, sow the seeds in the ground late October and keep them moist (cover with shade cloth until germinated). Transplant (lift and trim foliage by 1/3) in early January into a bed thickly mulched with mushroom compost. I use an old spade handle to make individual holes and water them in. No further care needed.

26 Apr 10 noel (New Zealand - temperate climate)

i plant the seed in september, and transplant in january.making a hole with a growbar 300 mls deep, i sprinkle blood and bone in the bottom of holes, plus a small amount of slow release fert,, pop in the leek plants, an fill the hle with water. as they grow mound them like spuds, mine grow over a metre long with 500 mls of white

18 Nov 10 Laurie (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

My leeks grow really well and look great. However, when I harvest the insides have a hard core. Can anyone please tell me what causes this and how do I overcome?

21 Nov 10 Sarah (New Zealand - temperate climate)

For Laurie - the hard core is from the leeks sending up a flower shoot in spring, you can still eat them but remove the hard core as it's a bit tough

08 Feb 11 Cathryn (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)

I have a good crop of leeks but far too many, apart from making soups and freezing it is there any other way I can freeze them?