Growing Leeks:
How to Grow Leeks Organically

Growing leeks is a breeze in healthy, well-drained soil and full sun. As long as they’re well-mulched, they’ll also survive in the ground throughout winter, providing for a welcomed late harvest.

• Planting Leeks
• Growing Leeks
• Harvesting Leeks
• Storing Leeks and/or Freezing Leeks
• Pests & Diseases
• YOUR Advice, Experiences and Photos

Growing Leeks: Planting the Seed

If you live in a cold climate, you can plant leeks in containers or seed flats about 8 weeks before your last frost. If you live in a warmer climate you can start leeks indoors about three weeks before your last frost date.

And if you’re not up for seed starting indoors, purchase a started plant or plant the seed directly into the soil when the soil temperature reaches 75 degrees F (24 C).

If you direct seed, plant your leeks in beds closely together but with enough room so that their leaves can branch out – 6 inches (15 cm) apart should be plenty.

During your leek plants’ early stages, keep the soil well-watered and apply a liquid organic garden fertilizer every couple of weeks.

Growing Leeks: From Germination to Pre-Harvest

Before transplanting your leeks (either from a started plant that you bought or from one you started indoors), wait until temperatures stay above 40 degrees F (4.44 degrees C) outside. Harden seedlings off by reducing the water and temperature for about 7 days before planting them in your garden.

Leeks’ shallow roots require frequent watering. Give them enough to keep their stems moist and add a healthy layer of organic mulch to prevent weed competition and soil moisture loss.

Growing Leeks: Harvesting Time

When you harvest your leeks depends on the variety you grow. Some can be harvested about 10 weeks after planting in the late summer while others should wait until late fall.

When they're ready, dig up as much as you need and leave the rest in the ground until you’re ready for more. If you plan to wait until after the frosts begin, protect your leeks from the cold with a thick layer of mulch.

Storing Leeks and Freezing Leeks

If your plant is to store them for use throughout the winter, why not just leave them in the ground? As long as you apply a thick layer of mulch (or plastic mulch) before the first hard frost, you can dig them up as needed.

For short-term storage, put them in a plastic sealable bag prior to washing or trimming and slide them into your refrigerator’s vegetable drawer. They’ll last for a couple of weeks if stored in this fashion.

Leeks don’t freeze well, so for longer storage pack them in a wooden box interspersed with moist soil from their garden bed and store in a cool, dry place.

Leek seeds have longevity of about 2 years.

Growing Leeks: Pests & Diseases

The following pests and diseases have been known to affect the success of growing Leeks. For more information about preventing and controlling them, see Organic Garden Pest Control.

Pests

Cutworms Grasshoppers Leafminers Mites

Bulb mites Wheat curl mite Nematodes Onion maggot

Snails/slugs Thrips

Diseases

Bacterial soft rots Basal rot Black mold Blue mold rot

Botrytis leafspot (Leaf blight) Downy mildew Neck rot (Botrytis bulb rot) Pink root

Purple blotch White rot

YOUR Experience & Advice About Growing Leeks

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