Leek
Allium porrum
A vegetable, sown February to April.
In September: blanch the leek, earth it up and lift the crop.
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Leek, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Sow outdoors. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none | none |
| Plant out. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual |
| Lift the leeks. | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | usual |
| Blanch the leek. | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual |
| Earth up the leek. | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover in February, 1.5cm deep. Strong source: RHS.
Sow outdoors March to April, 1.5cm deep, 15 to 20cm apart, rows 30cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Plant out April to August, 15cm deep, 15 to 20cm apart, rows 30cm apart. Strong source: RHS.
Lift the leeks
Usually August to February. Moderate source: Gardeners’ World.
Blanch the leek
Slip a collar of cardboard or plastic downpipe over each leek, then pull soil up around it.
Usually July to September. Strong sources: RHS, Gardeners’ World and Suttons.
Earth up the leek
Draw soil up around each leek several times to keep out light, but keep soil out of the leaves.
Usually July to September. Strong sources: RHS, Gardeners’ World and Suttons.
What the source words mean
Strong: the RHS page for this plant is among them.Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Leek” comes from.