Leek Musselburgh Vegetable Seeds

A very hardy variety that produces excellent quality leeks that are difficult to fault.

Leeks are arguably one of the most important fresh winter vegetables due to their hardiness. We've had Musselburgh literally disappear under several feet of snow for several weeks, and put up with temperatures as low as 5°F (-15°C) - only to appear, unscathed after the thaw!

Harvested young, as baby leeks, these have a fantastically sweet flavour which doesn't falter if they are left to mature.

• HARDINESS ZONE: Annual (Biennial 7-11)

• DAYS TO MATURITY: 90-130

• DAY TO GERMINATION: 7-14

• SEEDING DEPTH: 1/4?

• PLANT SPACING: 4-6?

• PLANT HEIGHT: 18-24?

• ROW SPACING: 8-16?

• GROWTH HABIT: Sturdy upright

• SOIL TYPE: Loose, lightly, fertile, well-drained

• TEMP PREFERENCE: 55-75 °F

• LIGHT PREFERENCE: Full sun

• TROUBLESHOOTING: Susceptible to mildew, leaf spotting, and bulb rot from oversaturated and poorly drained soils. Watch for thrips and onion maggots.

Sow thinly in seed trays under protection January - March; or sow March - late April thinly in ½" (1 cm) deep drills 9" (23 cm) apart.

When approximately 8" (20 cm) tall lift the seedlings carefully and set out 8" (20 cm) apart in rows 16" (40 cm) apart by making holes approximately 4" (10 cm) deep, inserting the seedling and then filling with water, NOT SOIL.

Straighten up seedlings after approximately one week if required.

Top Tips

Leeks prefer a well-drained soil and a sun or part shade position. To produce a greater amount of white stem earth up as growth develops.

Harvest as required leaving the remaining crop in the ground.

Suitable for the vegetable garden, allotments and containers.

Be prepared to water well and supplement feed with high-potash feed during season.

Regular feeding is recommended.