🥕 Leek

Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum

vegetables stem vegetable (allium)

☀️ Sun

Full sun (6–8 hours); tolerates partial shade

💧 Water

Medium–high; 1 inch per week; consistent moisture for tender stems; mulch to retain soil moisture

🗺️ Zones

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

🪴 Soil Type

Rich, well-drained loam with plenty of organic matter; leeks are moderate-heavy feeders

🧪 Soil pH

6.0–7.0

💧 Drainage

Well-drained but moisture-retentive; consistent moisture needed for tender, thick stems

📏 Spacing

6–8 inches apart in rows 12–18 inches apart; plant in deep holes or trenches, hilling soil around stems as they grow to increase white blanched portion

📅 Days to Maturity

75-120 days (from transplant); 100-150 days from seed

🍴 Edible Parts

🍽️ ["White stem and lower leaves (the shank)"🍽️ "Green tops (use in stock/soup \u2014 tougher than white part)"🍽️ "Flower scapes (edible🍽️ milder)"]

🤝 Companions (5)

🤝 Carrot

Classic companion — leeks repel carrot rust fly; carrots deter leek moth; mutual pest protection between two root vegetables

🤝 Celery

Leeks and celery share similar water/soil needs; leeks repel celery pests; known as 'the dynamic duo' in French intensive gardening

🤝 Strawberry

Leeks repel slugs, snails, and many strawberry pests

🤝 Lettuce

Leeks repel aphids and slugs from lettuce; quick lettuce interplanted between slower leeks maximizes space

🤝 Chamomile

Improves flavor and growth; antifungal

⚠️ Keep Apart (3)

⚠️ Bean

Allium — inhibits nitrogen fixation in legumes; beans will be stunted

⚠️ Pea

Same legume inhibition

⚠️ Fennel

Allelopathic

💊 Medicinal Uses

["Contains allicin (like garlic/onion but in lower concentrations) \u2014 antimicrobial", "Rich in vitamin K (important for blood clotting and bone health), vitamin A, and manganese", "Good source of prebiotic fiber (inulin) supporting gut health", "Traditional: leek soup used as a general tonic and for respiratory ailments"]

📝 Notes

Leeks are the mildest allium — often called 'the gourmet's onion.' They have an extraordinarily long growing season (100–150 days) but can be harvested at any size. Blanching (excluding light from the stem) produces the prized white portion — achieved by hilling soil or using cardboard collars. Leeks are one of the most cold-hardy vegetables — can overwinter in zones 5+ with heavy mulch. Unlike onions, leeks don't form bulbs.