Leek, Giant Musselburgh (Allium Porrum)

Giant Musselburgh Leek Seeds (Allium porrum) aka Scottish Flag. 

Minimum 25 seeds per package. 

 Scottish variety introduced in the early 1800s. Enormous leeks that are approximately 9-15" long by 2-3" in diameter. Tender white stalks, dark blue-green fan-shaped leaves. Mild flavor stands winter well. Good bunched for market gardens.

 Sow seeds indoors ¼" deep and space 1" in all directions. Transplant as soon as soil can be worked in spring. Hill or mound soil around stems several times to blanch as leeks grow.

 Blanch is the term used for pushing soil up against the stems so that the vegetable develops white stems. This improves the flavor, making it milder, and is done in stages.

Harvest - 80 to 150 days from transplant

Tolerant of the cold

Full Sun

Sow .25” deep, keep soil lightly moist until germination

Germination – approx. 5 – 7 days

Sow outside 6” apart, rows 12” – 24” apart

To start seedlings indoors - sow seed 4 – 6 weeks before first frost, early spring. Keep at 60 to 70 degrees. When seedlings reach about 2” transplant into a pot. Transplant outside a week “after” the first frost. Apply compost monthly, they thrive in rich soil.

Leeks do well in fertile well-draining soil. They also do well in raised beds and large containers.

Water blanching leeks extends their life span, giving you fresh leeks for longer. What is this? Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Place your washed and cut up leeks in a blanching basket or colander and lower them into the boiling water.

Note: do not plant with peas or beans. You can plant them with carrots, they seem to help each other against carrot fly and leek moth. Harvest carrots before you start soil blanching the leeks.

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