Autumn Giant Leeks on a white background.
Autumn Giant Leek crisscrossing on wooden background
Four Autumn Giant Leeks in a pile on a wooden board.
Autumn Giant Leeks on a white background.
Autumn Giant Leek crisscrossing on wooden background
Four Autumn Giant Leeks in a pile on a wooden board.

Leek Seeds,
Autumn Giant

4.33 ReviewsSKU: #LK106Min. seed count: 200
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Description

Midseason. This Western European heirloom leek is celebrated for its fine culinary qualities as well as its reliable, uniform growing ability. An exemplary variety, it was given an Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society. The RHS noted its uniform stems with resistance to bolting and bulbiness. Try this traditional European heirloom in Vichyssoise, potato and leek pie, gratins, and more! Leaves are medium green with a thick white shank that is medium in length, about 18 inches long.

Growing Tips: Sow indoors in late winter. Set outdoors 6-8 weeks before last frost of spring into rich, finely-worked garden soil. Hill up plants for long white shanks.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Allium ampeloprasum
Life Cycle
Biennial
Sun Requirement
6–12 hr.
Days to Germinate
7–14
Days to Maturity
100–120
Planting Depth
¼ in.
Plant Spacing
4–6 in.
Ideal Temperature
45–80°F
Frost Hardy
Yes

When to Grow

Autumn Giant is the long-season leek here at 100–120 days, and it is built to stand rather than run to seed — the Royal Horticultural Society cited its uniform stems and resistance to bolting and bulbiness. Sow indoors in late winter, ¼ inch deep in pots at least six inches deep, at 60–65°F; germination takes 7–14 days.

Harden the plants off once the soil can be worked in spring, then set them out 6–8 weeks before your last frost into rich, finely worked garden soil. Hill the plants up steadily through the season to build out the full white shank, which runs about 18 inches.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Seeds do not need excessive heat or sunlight to germinate.
  • Temperatures of 60-65 F are best.
  • Sow seeds ½ inch in pots at least six inches deep. This is crucial; do not sow in shallow pots.
  • Seeds germinate in 7-14 days.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 60-65 F.

How to Grow

  • Harden off plants outside once soil can be worked in spring.
  • Dig a trench 6 inches deep and place seedlings 6 inches apart in a row at the bottom of the trench.
  • As the leeks grow, gradually fill in the trench; this is called blanching and it will keep the “stems” white and tender.
  • Leeks need rich, finely worked garden soil.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • Leeks are relatively pest and disease-free.
  • The biggest challenge is to keep them free from weeds, as all onion family members are terrible at competing with weeds.
  • Try mulching with plastic mulch or a thick layer of other mulch to keep the weed competition down.

How to Save Seeds

  • Leeks will not cross with any other allium (onion) family members, but they do require 1 mile isolation from other leek varieties for seed saving.
  • Leeks are biennial.
  • In mild winter areas, simply allow them to overwinter and protect with mulch if temperatures below freezing are expected.
  • In cold climates, leeks will need to be dug up and stored in a root cellar. Replant in spring, and allow them to flower.
  • Leek seeds can be stored for up to 3 years, but germination is usually only as high as 50 percent.

FAQ

Is Autumn Giant prone to bolting?

The Royal Horticultural Society gave this variety an Award of Garden Merit and noted its uniform stems with resistance to bolting and bulbiness. It is also valued for reliable, uniform growing ability.

Can I leave it standing in the garden into cold weather?

Yes - this is a frost-hardy, cool-season biennial grown in Zones 5-10, and Autumn Giant is a midseason variety harvested from fall that takes frost well. Where winters are mild you can leave the plants in the ground and cover them with mulch when freezing temperatures are forecast; where the ground freezes hard, lift them and store them in a root cellar.

What do I cook with it?

The leaves are medium green and the thick white shank is medium in length, about 18 inches long. Try this traditional European heirloom in Vichyssoise, potato and leek pie, gratins and more.
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