Growing Leek in Australia: The Complete Guide
Leek is an easy to moderate bulb & allium to grow, needing full sun with regular watering.
Leek is one of the easy to moderate additions to a home garden, and this article walks through everything behind our one-page printable guide in a bit more depth.
Trenching for length
Plant seedlings deep into a narrow trench or hole, backfilling gradually. The buried stem stays white and tender — the deeper it's blanched, the longer the usable white shaft.
Planting Leek
Method — drop seedlings into 15cm deep holes and water in — don't backfill fully, just let rain settle soil around roots. Soil — rich, well-drained, deeply cultivated. Timing — transplant seedlings in spring to early summer.
Keeping It Growing Well
Worth paying attention to:
- Mound soil up around the stems as they grow to extend the white shaft.
- Water deeply and regularly through summer.
- Feed with compost or aged manure mid-season.
- Weed by hand — shallow roots dislike disturbance.
What Can Go Wrong
Keep these points in mind:
- Rust — orange leaf spots; improve airflow, avoid overhead watering.
- Leek moth — larvae tunnel leaves; net young plants.
- Bolting — from cold stress; plant at the right time.
- Thin stems — overcrowding or poor feeding.
Picking and Keeping Your Harvest
Signs — shaft reaches 2–3cm across, any time from autumn onward. Method — loosen soil with a fork, then lift. Curing — none needed. Storage — cool, humid spot or fridge, 2–3 weeks. Can stay in the ground over winter.
For the condensed, printable version of everything above, head to the main leek guide page.