{"id":469,"date":"2023-02-16T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/?p=469"},"modified":"2023-06-27T11:43:22","modified_gmt":"2023-06-27T18:43:22","slug":"how-to-grow-leek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-leek\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Grow Leek &#8211; A Beginner&#8217;s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-layzr=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/How-to-Grow-Leek.png\" alt=\"leek plant growing in garden\" title=\"\"><br \/>\nLeek, which are known botanically as Allium Ampeloprasum, are a type of vegetable that can easily be grown at home. Continue reading to learn the basics of growing leek as well as common mistakes to avoid along the way.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-leek\/#Best_Time_to_Plant_Leek\" title=\"Best Time to Plant Leek\">Best Time to Plant Leek<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-leek\/#How_to_Plant_Leek_the_Right_Way\" title=\"How to Plant Leek the Right Way\">How to Plant Leek the Right Way<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-leek\/#How_Much_Sunlight_is_Needed_to_Grow_Leek\" title=\"How Much Sunlight is Needed to Grow Leek\">How Much Sunlight is Needed to Grow Leek<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-leek\/#How_Much_to_Water_Leek\" title=\"How Much to Water Leek\">How Much to Water Leek<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-leek\/#How_Long_Does_it_Take_Leek_to_Germinate_and_Grow\" title=\"How Long Does it Take Leek to Germinate and Grow?\">How Long Does it Take Leek to Germinate and Grow?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-leek\/#When_to_Harvest_Leek\" title=\"When to Harvest Leek\">When to Harvest Leek<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-leek\/#What_Can_Leek_Be_Used_For\" title=\"What Can Leek Be Used For?\">What Can Leek Be Used For?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-leek\/#Can_Leek_Grow_in_Pots_and_Containers\" title=\"Can Leek Grow in Pots and Containers?\">Can Leek Grow in Pots and Containers?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/how-to-grow-leek\/#Are_Leek_Safe_for_Bees\" title=\"Are Leek Safe for Bees?\">Are Leek Safe for Bees?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best_Time_to_Plant_Leek\"><\/span>Best Time to Plant Leek<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This will depend largely on your local climate, but as a rule of thumb, begin to plant the leek seeds early spring and fall. This is the best time to ensure that the seedlings survive the weather.<\/p>\n<p>To check when leek are most likely to thrive in your area, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/planthardiness.ars.usda.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map<\/a>. If you live outside the US, do a quick search for &#8216;plant hardiness zone + [city]&#8217;.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Plant_Leek_the_Right_Way\"><\/span>How to Plant Leek the Right Way<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There are a number of things to consider that will help you avoid some of the common mistakes of growing leek in your home garden. <\/p>\n<p>Often overlooked, your soil can have a huge impact on how well your leek grow. Generally, your soil should be moist, light soil that has been heavily manured from a previous crop. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esf.edu\/pubprog\/brochure\/soilph\/soilph.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Soil PH levels<\/a> should be around 6.0 to 7.0.<\/p>\n<p>approximately 6&#8242; apart in rows. \u00a04&#8243; apart in rows. The seeds should be sowed at a depth of about .5&#8243;. For each plant, be sure to sow at least a few seeds to ensure that at least one of them will germinate.<\/p>\n<p>Begin thinning your leek seedlings thin to 4&#8243; apart when 4&#8243; tall.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_Sunlight_is_Needed_to_Grow_Leek\"><\/span>How Much Sunlight is Needed to Grow Leek<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The amount of sunlight is another key to a successful harvest. Too much sunlight will dry out your leek. Not enough sunlight will stunt your its growth or even kill it.<\/p>\n<p>Ideally, your leek should be getting full sun, which means as much sunlight as you can possibly give it, or at least 6 hours or more. <\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_to_Water_Leek\"><\/span>How Much to Water Leek<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As you&#8217;ve figured by now, a lot can have an impact on how well your leek do, and the amount of water is no different.<\/p>\n<p>Ideally, the soil should be damp to touch; not soggy or bone dry. If the leaves on your leek begin to change colors or start to look droopy, you need to adjust how much water you&#8217;re giving it.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, if you give it too much or too little water, you can kill it, so it&#8217;s best to just keep an eye on it and water as needed.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Long_Does_it_Take_Leek_to_Germinate_and_Grow\"><\/span>How Long Does it Take Leek to Germinate and Grow?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Now the fun part begins and you get to watch your leek grow.<\/p>\n<p>It takes approximately 10-15 days to germinate, and a total of 150 days from seed to harvest.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_to_Harvest_Leek\"><\/span>When to Harvest Leek<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The best time to harvest your leek is when its white stem or shaft is 3 inches (7 cm) long or greater.<\/p>\n<p>Leek can grow up to about one foot long and one-to-two inches wide.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Can_Leek_Be_Used_For\"><\/span>What Can Leek Be Used For?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Food Use:<\/strong> Leeks make a great, subtle addition to soup.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Flavor Profile:<\/strong> Sweet.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_Leek_Grow_in_Pots_and_Containers\"><\/span>Can Leek Grow in Pots and Containers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, you will ideally need a  18&#8243;+ containerfor each plant. This can help control weeds and keep your plant from growing out of control.<\/p>\n<p>It also gives you the flexibility to move your leek around if you need to adjust sunlight or bring it indoors to avoid harsh weather conditions.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Are_Leek_Safe_for_Bees\"><\/span>Are Leek Safe for Bees?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, leek are safe for bees. <\/p>\n<p>According to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/usa\/sustainable-agriculture\/save-the-bees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">GreenPeace.org<\/a>, bees pollinate human food crops that make up about 90% of the world&#8217;s nutrition.<\/p>\n<p>Given their importance in our ecosystem and food supply, I feel it is important to note that growing leek is bee-friendly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Leek, which are known botanically as Allium Ampeloprasum, are a type of vegetable that can easily be grown at home. Continue reading to learn the basics of growing leek as well as common mistakes to avoid along the way. Best Time to Plant Leek This will depend largely on your local climate, but as a rule of thumb, begin to plant the leek seeds early spring and fall. This is the best time to ensure that the seedlings survive the weather. To check when leek are most likely to thrive in your area, see the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":388,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,232],"tags":[22,59],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/469"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=469"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/469\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":841,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/469\/revisions\/841"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/388"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=469"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=469"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gardeningeats.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=469"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}