Crop Rotation Group
Allium (Onion family)
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Soil
Requires rich, loamy soil that holds moisture well.
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Position
Sun or partial shade.
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Frost tolerant
Yes.
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Feeding
In late summer while the weather is still warm, drench plants thoroughly with a water-soluble plant food.
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Companions
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Spacing
Single Plants: 7" (20cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 5" (15cm) with 11" (30cm) row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Sow indoors in early spring, and move to a protected cold frame if you have one. Transplant when seedlings are about the size of a pencil.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
When leeks are almost the size you prefer, blanch them for 2 to 3 weeks by putting a mound of soil, mulch, or a cardboard tube around the base of each stem. Grows best in climates where nights remain cool through summer. In mild winter climates, try leeks as a fall-to-spring crop.
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Harvesting
Dig as needed in the kitchen. In cold winter climates, dig plants before the ground freezes in early winter.
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Troubleshooting
Struggling plants may be infested with onion root maggots, which are easy to see when you dig up a plant. Promptly remove affected plants.
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