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Leeks — Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum

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Leeks — Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum

layout: base.njk title: Leeks description: Growing Leeks in West Virginia (Zone 6b/7a) category: cool-season

Quick Reference: See detailed growing information below

Type: Biennial (grown as annual)
Family: Amaryllidaceae (Allioideae)
Sun: Full sun (6+ hours)
Water: High (1.5-2" per week, consistent moisture essential)
Soil pH: 6.0-7.5 (optimal 6.5-7.0)
Hardiness: Zones 3-11 (very cold hardy, can overwinter)

🌱 Expected Yield

  • Per plant: 0.5-1.5 lbs per leek (depends on size and variety).
  • Per 10' row: 20-40 lbs.
  • Per season: Single planting provides 25-50 lbs per 10' row (extended harvest).

🏺 Heirloom Varieties (5-10+)

'American Flag' (Broad London)

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (rareseeds.com), Johnny's Selected Seeds (johnnyseeds.com)
  • Days: 150 days
  • Notes: Victorian heirloom. Large, thick shanks (2-3" diameter). Dark blue-green leaves. Cold hardy. Excellent flavor, sweet. Traditional for exhibition. Late maturing but impressive size.

'Lincoln'

  • Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds, Baker Creek
  • Days: 130 days
  • Notes: Hybrid, F1. Early maturing. Uniform, straight shanks. Good blanching. Sweet, mild. Cold tolerant. Holds well in field. Popular with market growers.

'King Richard'

  • Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds, Baker Creek, Burpee (burpee.com)
  • Days: 135 days
  • Notes: Hybrid, F1. Long, slender shanks. Uniform. Early maturing. Sweet, tender. Cold tolerant. Good blanching. Industry standard.

'Tadorna'

  • Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds, Baker Creek
  • Days: 140 days
  • Notes: Hybrid, F1. Long white shanks. Vigorous. Cold hardy. Sweet flavor. Holds well in winter. Good for late harvest.

'Blue de Solaise'

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange (southernexposure.com)
  • Days: 160 days
  • Notes: French heirloom. Blue-green leaves. Exceptionally cold hardy (can overwinter in zone 6+). Sweet, rich flavor. Traditional for winter harvest. Beautiful color. Slower but superior quality.

'Lancelot'

  • Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds, High Mowing Organic Seeds (highmowingseeds.com)
  • Days: 125 days
  • Notes: Hybrid, F1. Early, uniform. Good blanching. Sweet, mild. Cold tolerant. Disease resistant. Reliable producer.

'Bandit'

  • Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds, Baker Creek
  • Days: 145 days
  • Notes: Hybrid, F1. Long white shanks. Vigorous. Cold hardy. Holds through winter. Sweet flavor. Good for extended harvest.

'Giant Carentan'

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek
  • Days: 155 days
  • Notes: French heirloom. Very large, thick shanks (3-4"). Blue-green leaves. Cold hardy. Sweet, rich flavor. Traditional for fall/winter harvest. Impressive size.

'Musselburgh'

  • Source: Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek, Johnny's Selected Seeds
  • Days: 160 days
  • Notes: Scottish heirloom from 1800s. Thick, short shanks. Extremely cold hardy (can overwinter). Traditional for Scottish winters. Sweet, robust flavor. Heritage variety.

'Summer Carentan'

  • Source: Baker Creek, Seed Savers Exchange
  • Days: 120 days
  • Notes: Early French heirloom. Large shanks. Faster than other Carentan types. Good for early harvest. Sweet, tender. Traditional variety.

🌾 Seed Saving

  • Method: Leeks are biennial—require vernalization (cold period) to flower. For seed saving, select best plants, leave in ground over winter (mulch heavily in zone 6b/7a—leeks very cold hardy) or dig and store in cool, humid place (root cellar at 35-40°F), replant in spring. In spring, plants send up 4-6' flower stalks with large, round umbels (cluster) of pink-purple, star-shaped flowers.

Flowers are insect-pollinated (bees, flies, moths). Seeds mature 6-8 weeks after flowering, turning from green to black. Leek seeds are small, angular, black (similar to onion seeds but larger).

Cut umbels when most seeds black but before shattering. Hang in paper bags in dry, ventilated area 2-3 weeks. Thresh by rubbing umbels between hands.

Winnow by pouring between bowls in breeze to separate seeds from chaff. - Isolation distance: 2 miles minimum (up to 5 miles for pure seed). Leeks cross-pollinate readily with other Allium ampeloprasum varieties (elephant garlic, great-headed garlic) and related alliums. For pure seed, grow only one A.

ampeloprasum variety or cage isolated plants with netting and hand-pollinate. - Viability: 1-2 years when stored in cool, dry, dark conditions in airtight containers. Leek seeds lose viability quickly—use fresh seed. Short storage life. - Special notes: Save seed from minimum 5-10 plants to maintain genetic diversity.

Select for shank length, diameter, color, flavor, cold hardiness, bolt resistance. Leeks very cold hardy—easily overwinter in zone 6b/7a with minimal mulch. Biennial requirement means seed saving requires two full seasons.

Leek seeds short-lived—plan to use within 1-2 years or trade/share. For best viability, store in airtight containers with silica gel. Leeks produce abundant seed—enough for years from few plants.

Save from healthiest, straightest, most uniform plants..

Added to WV Planting Guide 26155 — The Loop Farmstead