Summer Thick Long Leek - organic-seeds

Summer Thick Long Leek

The Gros Long d’Été is an old, very early summer leek with a medium-long, thick stem and light green leaves. Suitable for summer harvests and tolerant to light frost down to -5°C.

Cultivation Tips

Sowing

• Sow in warm conditions from February to March

• Transplant April–June when seedlings are pencil-thick

• Harvest from mid-July

• For autumn or winter harvest: sow in April–May, transplant June–July with 15 cm spacing

Care

• Plant spacing: 15 cm, depth: 10 cm

• Trim leaves (1/3) and roots (~2 cm below crown) for balance

• Optionally praliné roots with soil and compost

• Water generously before and after transplanting

• Earthing-up in autumn for longer white stalks

• Use loose, well-draining soil

Pests & Diseases

• Rust (Puccinia porri, Puccinia allii): yellow-orange spots, brown spores under leaves

• Leek moth: larvae eat channels in leaf and stalk; prevent with insect netting, pheromone traps, and companion planting with carrots

• Use horsetail manure as a preventive measure, avoid wet leaves and excess nitrogen

Harvest

• Summer varieties: July–August

• Winter varieties: November–April

Companion Planting

• Leek + carrot for natural protection against leek moth

• Good neighbors: onion, celeriac, tomato

• Avoid legumes near leeks

Nutritional Value

• High in fiber, vitamins, and minerals

• Supports digestion and cardiovascular health

• Low in calories

Tips & Tricks

• Let seedlings dry in the sun for 48 hours before transplanting

• Use rich, well-decomposed organic fertilizer, not too nitrogen-rich

• Regular weeding and mulching reduce weed competition