LEEK - CARENTAN - ORGANIC

Allium ampeloprasum var porrum

This old heirloom variety is also known as Monstrous Carentan Leek is originally from France and is now quite rare and difficult to find. The leaves are large, flat, broad with Blue Green colouring and a delicate mild delicious flavour which is ideal for eating raw in salads. The long thick stems are better looking and better tasting than Mussellburg which is the most widely grown and sold variety in Australia. It grows vigorously, adapts to most soils and yields very well. It has been around since well before 1885, is readily digested with a sugar content around 4.5% and quite rich in Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus and Iron Leeks have broad concave leaves, the sheathing bases of which form a tight cylinder, being the edible part. Leeks are easier to grow than onions, and more suited to colder climates. Sow seeds 5-10mm deep spaced 15cm apart in rows 30-60cm apart. They should be planted Sept-Mar in cold areas, Aug-Apr in Temperate areas, Jan-Mar in the Subtropics and Feb-Mar in the Tropics. Hill the plants with soil 2 or 3 times during the growing period. This forces the leaves higher up the plant and this results in extra long blanched stems which makes a much greater edible portion.

QTY 180 seeds

Image by jacqueline macou from Pixabay