American Flag Leeks are related to onions and garlic but do not produce bulbs or cloves. The white stem and long green leaves make leeks look like overgrown green onions. Leeks are cold tolerant and can be planted in early spring. Both the stems and the leaves are edible but the stem is what is most used in soups and stews for their milder onion flavor. Leeks can be eaten raw or cooked.
The American Flag Leek has 2-3 foot leaves which are blueish-green over their white stems. Its leaves do not die back to let you know when they are mature like onions or shallots do.
Plant American Flag Leeks in full sun 2-6″ apart in 16-20″ rows. Grows 2-3 feet tall.
Leeks have shallow roots so take care when hoeing. Adding mulch can help keep weeds down and moisture in. Follow this link for more on how to grow leeks.
Leeks mature in 120-150 days from seeding. Our leeks are sown week 49 (the 1st week of December) and should mature after transplanting in March to early April depending on the weather. Harvest leeks when the stems are 1-3″ in diameter and 6-10″ long. To harvest, gently twist and pull the leeks from the ground or lightly dig and then pull.
We offer our American Flag Leeks in our #4 Charley’s Vegetables size category.