Plant library · Vegetables
Allium ampeloprasum
Leek is a tall, narrow annual vegetable grown for its thick, blanched stems. At about 2½ feet tall, it suits the back or middle of a vegetable bed, where it will not shade lower crops from the south. Its upright form lets a row occupy little horizontal space while remaining easy to reach for repeated soil hilling and late-season harvest.
Place leeks in a dedicated row or a block with a clear path-side edge, rather than burying them among sprawling crops. Keep carrots, celery, lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, or cabbage in nearby planned areas if desired; reserve a separate section for beans, lima beans, peas, snow peas, or soybeans. Leave the stems exposed to easy access throughout the season, since soil needs to be drawn up around them to lengthen the pale shaft.
Set leeks 6 inches apart, center to center. Each plant reaches about 6 inches wide, so this creates a close, linear planting with little spare room between mature leaves. Use straight rows or a tidy grid and keep row edges open to a path or stepping space; that access makes it easier to hill soil around the stems without compacting the planted area.
Give leeks full sun, with at least eight hours of bright light daily, in a well-drained bed rich in organic matter. Their shallow roots need dependable moisture, especially during dry periods, so locate the row where irrigation can reach the soil directly. A drip line or carefully aimed hose keeps watering simple without repeatedly wetting the foliage.[1]
This is a long-season annual crop, taking about 120 days to maturity and occupying its space from planting through late summer and late fall harvest. Keep the row available well after quick spring crops have cleared. The upright foliage remains present at harvest time, so do not plan to use top dieback as the signal that the bed is finished.
Allow enough bare soil beside the row for gradual hilling, or plant in a furrow that can be filled as stems lengthen. Avoid placing leeks where frequent deep cultivation is needed: their fibrous, shallow roots are easily disturbed. A 3- to 4-inch organic mulch can reduce weed pressure and limit the need to work close to the plants.[1]
Editorial content updated 2026-07-20.