King Richard Leek Seed

King RichardLeek Seed

Extra-early summer leek produces long white shanks
Non-bulbing plants reach approximately twelve inches
Broad adaptation suits gardens across America
Mild flavor complements soups, sautés, and grilling

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Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Allium porrum

Days to maturity

75 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

250 Seeds

About King Richard, Leek Seed, Leek Seed

King Richard is a newer leek variety that grows well throughout the United States. This leek variety is a summer type, non-bulbing leek that grows to 12" in length. King Richard has green leaves with white inside. This leek is a very early maturer and is not sufficient for overwinter growing.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/4"

Days to Germination

7–14 days

In-row plant spacing

4-6"

Row Spacing

24"

Plant profile

Maturity

Summer, Fall, Winter

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

18 inches

Growth Habits

Clumping, Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

9,500

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Growing Season

Cool-Season Crop

Before Planting

Reserve a full-sun site for Leek with deep, fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. Work compost into the bed and prepare a fine surface for sowing or a deep planting area for transplants. Plan trenches or holes for blanching long white stems, and harden transplants before setting them outdoors.

Planting

Start leek seed indoors 10–12 weeks before the last spring frost, or direct sow as soon as the soil is workable. Maintain even moisture and bright light, then trim or separate crowded seedlings as needed. Harden transplants and set them outdoors while temperatures are still cool. Plant into the prepared holes or trench without burying the central growing point.

Watering

Provide about 1 inch of water weekly and maintain even moisture as stems enlarge. Water deeply during dry weather, directing irrigation at the soil and avoiding prolonged saturation around the leaf bases.

Fertilizer

Apply balanced fertilizer to leek during active growth according to soil-test and label recommendations. Feed lightly rather than frequently, and avoid high nitrogen that encourages weak growth.

Harvesting

Harvest leeks when the white shaft is firm and reaches the variety’s mature diameter, commonly 1/2–1 inch. Loosen the soil and lift plants rather than breaking the shaft. Leeks tolerate light frost, so harvest can continue into late fall; trim and clean soil from between the leaf layers.

Tips

Observe leek regularly and address support, weeds, and crowding before they become difficult. Remove damaged growth with clean tools and retain selected seed only when reseeding is desired.

AVG. Seeding Rate

1,000 seeds/165', 1 oz./1,650', 11 oz. or 105M/acre at 6 seeds/ft. in rows 30" apart.

Pests & Diseases

White rot, downy mildew, purple blotch, Botrytis leaf blight, and Fusarium basal rot affect leeks. Plant clean seed or transplants and rotate alliums together. Yellowing with cottony white growth at the base warrants careful removal. Do not move soil, tools, or transplants from a white-rot-infested bed.

Inspect leek regularly for aphids, mites, slugs, caterpillars, and other chewing or sap-feeding pests. Remove pests physically when practical and use only correctly identified, labeled controls when damage becomes significant.