Leek, “King Richard” Seeds
Organic.
Leeks’ mild but rich onion flavor and cold tolerance make them a favorite in home kitchens and gardens. This onion relative has compact stems that thicken but do not form bulbs like onions. ‘King Richard’ produces extra long white stems early. Enjoy fresh, grilled, sautéed, and added to soups and stews. Cold tolerant to 20°F and can be left in the garden for an extended harvest. Under optimal growing conditions, the white part of ‘King Richard’ can be 12″ long, making the entire plant up to 30″ long.
This 750 mg packet sows up to 36 feet.
Days to Maturity: 75 days
Plant Vitals
When to Sow Outside: 2 to 4 weeks before your average last frost date for late summer harvest, late spring for fall harvest, and in Mild Climates, late summer for the following spring harvest. Soil temperature should be at least 40°F, ideally 60°–85°F.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 8 to 10 weeks before your average last frost date.
Days to Emerge: 7–14 days
Seed Depth: ¼
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 6"
Row Spacing: 12"
Thinning: When 1" tall, thin to 1 every 6"
Harvesting: Harvest leeks when tops are 15"–18" tall, and shanks are at least 1" in diameter. Use a garden fork to gently lift and loosen soil under the leeks, and then pull them up by hand. Leeks tolerate temperatures as low as 20°F, and can therefore be harvested even after a few freezes, which enhances flavor.