What should I plant after leeks?

Crop rotation prevents soil depletion and limits the occurrence of pests and diseases. After leeks, plant carrots, cucumbers, cilantro, squash, turnips, radishes, or tomatoes.

What should I plant with leeks?

Leeks benefit from being planted alongside carrots and celery. This companion planting helps repel pests and benefits both species. However, avoid planting leeks with beans, Swiss chard, cabbage, and peas. These vegetables have similar needs and compete for nutrients, which weakens the crops.

How long does it take for leeks to grow?

The growth period depends on the variety. It generally takes 5 to 7 months from sowing to planting. Summer leeks, which mature earlier, reach maturity 3 to 4 months after sowing.

Summer leek – early leek

Don't want to wait nearly a year between planting and harvesting your vegetables? Go for summer leeks! These early-maturing varieties are ready to eat 6 to 8 months after sowing. Ideal for gardeners in a hurry and those who need to free up space in the garden quickly!

How can you identify the summer leek (Allium porrum)?

A biennial plant, the summer leek (Allium porrum) is grown as an annual in the vegetable garden. It has an upright growth habit and reaches up to 50 cm in height with a spread of 30 cm.

The sheathing leaves form a white pseudostem underground called the shaft. The above-ground foliage is light green, a detail that helps distinguish the summer leek from Allium porrum and Allium porrum, whose leaves are darker. The flat, elongated leaf blades are folded in half, forming a groove.

The summer leek flowers only if it is not harvested. Greenish-white flowers, arranged in a perfect sphere, bloom at the top of a flower stalk.

Which varieties of summer leeks should you grow?

Summer leeks are sown under cover during the winter (January or February). As early-maturing varieties, they are harvested during the summer (July through October). But some mature earlier than others! When choosing summer leeks for your vegetable garden, consider the quality of the shaft and the growth rate.

Gros Long d'Été: a very old variety with a medium-length shaft and tender foliage that is harvested 6 months after sowing;
Large Yellow Poitou: a leek with a short shaft and blond-green leaves. It can be sown in February for a harvest as early as May;
Albos: This summer leek produces a 30–35 cm shaft with a flavor considered exceptional. An early variety, it is harvested 3 to 4 months after sowing;
Hannibal: a long-stemmed variety that can be planted year-round but is well-suited to summer cultivation. It is harvested in late summer;
Kulaures: Its rapid growth means you can enjoy its sweet-flavored stalks just 6 months after sowing;
Early Giant: Vigorous and fast-growing, this leek produces large stalks measuring 25 to 30 cm. Sow as early as January for a harvest in early summer;
Malabare: a variety with a broad, short pseudo-stem that is sown in the spring and ready to eat by late summer.

Is the summer leek toxic?

Summer leeks are not toxic to humans. The plant is grown and eaten—raw or cooked—in salads, fondue, quiche, soup, and more… While the shaft is the part we usually eat, the leaves are also edible. And the leaves of the summer leek are less tough and easier to cook than those of other leeks!

However, leek can cause digestive problems and even anemia in animals. Cats are particularly sensitive to them. Do not feed leeks to your pets, and make sure they do not nibble on the plant in the vegetable garden.

Diseases / Threats