Other names
common leek, garden leek
Botanical name
Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum
Family / Genus
Amaryllidaceae / Allium
Plant category
Leek vegetables
Leek probably originates from the Mediterranean region but was already valued in the kitchen by the ancient Egyptians.
Facts and figures
Light requirements
Sun / partial shade
Nutrient requirements
Heavy feeder
Difficulty level
Easy
Culture (according to Gertrud Franck)
B - early, B - late
Culture (according to Sister C. Weinrich)
Main crop
Growing period
110 - 170 days
Row spacing
35 cm
Plant spacing
15 cm
Growth height
60 - 80 cm
Sowing depth
2 cm
Germination temperature (minimum)
8 °C
Germination temperature (optimal)
20 - 25 °C
Germination type
Light and dark
Pre-growing period
60 days
Planting & harvest times of Leek
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Direct sowing
Pre-grow
Transplant
Harvest
Harvest (next year)
SummerTransplant to bed from Early April to Late May. Pre-grow about 60 days before transplanting, approximately between Early February and Late March. After a growing period of 110 days, harvest can begin around Early July and continues until Late August.
AutumnDirect sowing from Mid March to Early April. Transplant to bed from Early April to Mid April. Pre-grow about 60 days before transplanting, approximately between Early February and Mid February. After a growing period of 170 days, harvest can begin around Early September and continues until Late November.
WinterDirect sowing from Mid April to Early May. Transplant to bed from Mid June to Mid July. Pre-grow about 60 days before transplanting, approximately between Mid April and Mid May. After a growing period of 140 days, harvest can begin around Early September and continues until Early April next year.
Sow and plant Leek
When you transplant or sow leeks, space them 15 cm apart with 35 cm between rows. When starting indoors, sow into seed trays that are as deep as possible, about 2 cm deep. Once the seedlings have about 3 or 4 leaves, prick them out into individual pots until they are roughly pencil-thick. Don't press the small plants down — instead fill up with soil to just below the fork and then water them in gently with a fine stream. The same applies when transplanting outdoors.
Location and soil
It likes nutrient-rich, deep and loose soil. Before planting, work rotted animal manure or a good portion of compost into the ground. Full sun to partial shade.
Good and bad companions of Leek
Carrots, tomatoes and celery make good neighbours for leeks, and so do strawberries and lettuce. Planted between tomatoes, leeks are said to be protected from the leek moth. Peas, beans and other alliums, on the other hand, are poor neighbours.
Very good neighbours
Celeriac
Ridge and furrow: celeriac on low ridges, leeks in the furrows between. When earthing up, soil moves to the leeks and the celeriac stays free.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Tradition agrees across several language regions
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Tomato
Two rows of leeks between tomatoes: the scent of tomato leaves is said to keep leek moth away. Leeks cope well with the partial shade there.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Tradition agrees across several language regions
Reasons:
- Pest control through scent or camouflage
- Practical tip for this pair
Good neighbours
Batavia lettuce
Sow lettuce and transplant leeks between the rows. The lettuce is harvested before the leeks need the space.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Butterhead lettuce
Sow lettuce and transplant leeks between the rows. The lettuce is harvested before the leeks need the space.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Carrot
Carrots are said to keep leek moth away, leeks to deter carrot fly. An old companion planting pair, but a net protects more reliably.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Reasons:
- Pest control through scent or camouflage
Celery
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Tradition agrees across several language regions
Cucumber
Evidence quality: limited
Evidence: Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition
Cutting celery
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented, Tradition agrees across several language regions
Endive
Evidence quality: limited
Evidence: Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition
Iceberg lettuce
Sow lettuce and transplant leeks between the rows. The lettuce is harvested before the leeks need the space.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi grows fast and uses the space between young leeks. Once it is harvested, the leeks have the bed to themselves.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Lamb's lettuce
Lamb's lettuce can be sown between leeks in late summer and grows alongside them in the bed over winter.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Lollo biando / Lollo rosso
Sow lettuce and transplant leeks between the rows. The lettuce is harvested before the leeks need the space.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Oak leaf lettuce
Sow lettuce and transplant leeks between the rows. The lettuce is harvested before the leeks need the space.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Romaine lettuce
Sow lettuce and transplant leeks between the rows. The lettuce is harvested before the leeks need the space.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Practical tip for this pair
Scorzonera
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition
Strawberry
Leeks between strawberries are an old companion planting tip. Both grow well, but protection of strawberries against fungi is not proven.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Tradition agrees across several language regions
Bad neighbours
Asparagus
Evidence quality: limited
Evidence: Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition
Broad bean
Leeks and beans or peas are considered bad neighbours that stunt each other's growth. The reason is not known.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Guidebooks, companion planting charts, tradition, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Bush bean
Leeks and beans or peas are considered bad neighbours that stunt each other's growth. The reason is not known.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Chives
Leeks and chives share pests and leek rust, which spreads from overwintered clumps of chives to the leeks.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared pathogen, spreads through proximity
- Shared pest is attracted or multiplies
Garlic
Onion family plants attract the same pests, such as leek moth and allium leaf miner. Better not to plant them right next to each other.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared pathogen, spreads through proximity
- Shared pest is attracted or multiplies
Garlic chives
Onion family plants attract the same pests, such as leek moth and allium leaf miner. Better not to plant them right next to each other.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Shared pest is attracted or multiplies
Onion
Onion family plants attract the same pests, such as onion fly and allium leaf miner. Better not to plant them right next to each other.
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Tradition agrees across several language regions
Reasons:
- Shared pest is attracted or multiplies
Pea
Leeks and beans or peas are considered bad neighbours that stunt each other's growth. The reason is not known.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Pole bean
Leeks and beans or peas are considered bad neighbours that stunt each other's growth. The reason is not known.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Tradition agrees across several language regions
Runner bean
Leeks and beans or peas are considered bad neighbours that stunt each other's growth. The reason is not known.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich), Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented, Tradition agrees across several language regions
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Shallot
Onion family plants attract the same pests, such as leek moth and allium leaf miner. Better not to plant them right next to each other.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Shared pest is attracted or multiplies
Spring onion
Onion family plants attract the same pests, such as leek moth and allium leaf miner. Better not to plant them right next to each other.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Reasons:
- Shared pathogen, spreads through proximity
- Shared pest is attracted or multiplies
Tree onion
Onion family plants attract the same pests, such as leek moth and allium leaf miner. Better not to plant them right next to each other.
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Shared pest is attracted or multiplies
Predecessors and successors of Leek
Leave four years before you grow other alliums in the same spot. Cabbage and potatoes make good preceding crops. After leeks, lettuce, cucumbers and carrots do well. Don't follow leeks straight away with beetroot or chard, because leeks build up beet cyst nematodes.
Good predecessors
Alfalfa
Lasting effect: 3 years
Berseem clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Black kale
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue whose nitrogen is released late. Leeks, as heavy feeders, make good use of it.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Broccoli
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue whose nitrogen is released late. Leeks, as heavy feeders, make good use of it.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue whose nitrogen is released late. Leeks, as heavy feeders, make good use of it.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Cauliflower
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue whose nitrogen is released late. Leeks, as heavy feeders, make good use of it.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Common vetch
Lasting effect: 3 years
Courgette
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Crimson clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Cucumber
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Flower Sprouts
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue whose nitrogen is released late. Leeks, as heavy feeders, make good use of it.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Hairy vetch
Lasting effect: 3 years
Honeydew melon
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Kale
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue whose nitrogen is released late. Leeks, as heavy feeders, make good use of it.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Kohlrabi
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich)
Preliminary assessment, we're still researching.
Lupin
Lasting effect: 3 years
Melothria
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Oats
Lasting effect: 3 years
Oil radish
Lasting effect: 3 years
Persian clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Pointed cabbage
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue whose nitrogen is released late. Leeks, as heavy feeders, make good use of it.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Potato
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Red cabbage
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue whose nitrogen is released late. Leeks, as heavy feeders, make good use of it.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Red clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Romanesco
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue whose nitrogen is released late. Leeks, as heavy feeders, make good use of it.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Sainfoin
Lasting effect: 3 years
Savoy cabbage
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue whose nitrogen is released late. Leeks, as heavy feeders, make good use of it.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Squash
Squash covers the soil densely and keeps weeds down. Leeks, with their narrow leaves, have an easier time afterwards.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Reasons:
- Weed suppression for the next crop
Subterranean clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Watermelon
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
White cabbage
Cabbage leaves a lot of crop residue whose nitrogen is released late. Leeks, as heavy feeders, make good use of it.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
White clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Winter rye
Lasting effect: 3 years
Bad predecessors
Broad bean
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Scientific study or trial, Advisory service, research institute, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Bush bean
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Scientific study or trial, Advisory service, research institute, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Chives
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Garlic
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Garlic chives
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Leek
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
- Self-incompatibility
Onion
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Pea
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Scientific study or trial, Advisory service, research institute, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Pole bean
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Scientific study or trial, Advisory service, research institute, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Runner bean
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Scientific study or trial, Advisory service, research institute, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Shallot
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Spring onion
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Tree onion
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Good successors
Alfalfa
Lasting effect: 3 years
Batavia lettuce
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Berseem clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Broccoli
Leek is considered a good crop before cabbage. But it multiplies the beet cyst nematode, which harms cabbage, so opinions differ.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Butterhead lettuce
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Carrot
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich)
Reasons:
- Loosens soil, improves soil structure
Cauliflower
Leeks are considered a good crop before cauliflower. But they multiply the beet cyst nematode, which harms cabbage, so this is disputed.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Common vetch
Lasting effect: 3 years
Crimson clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Cucumber
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Hairy vetch
Lasting effect: 3 years
Honeydew melon
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Iceberg lettuce
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Kale
Leeks are considered a good crop before kale. But they multiply the beet cyst nematode, which harms brassicas, so this is disputed.
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Lollo biando / Lollo rosso
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Melothria
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Loosens soil, improves soil structure
Oak leaf lettuce
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Parsley
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Long-standing companion planting practice (e.g. Gertrud Franck, Schwester C. Weinrich)
Preliminary assessment, we're still researching.
Parsnip
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Loosens soil, improves soil structure
Persian clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Phacelia
Lasting effect: 3 years
Red clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Romaine lettuce
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
Strawberry
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Specialist book, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Preliminary assessment, we're still researching.
Reasons:
- Loosens soil, improves soil structure
Subterranean clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Watermelon
Lasting effect: 1 year
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Specialist book
White clover
Lasting effect: 3 years
Winter rye
Lasting effect: 3 years
Bad successors
Beetroot
Leeks multiply the beet cyst nematode without suffering themselves. Beetroot and chard suffer afterwards, so leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute
We found conflicting sources. This is our current assessment.
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Broad bean
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Scientific study or trial, Advisory service, research institute, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Bush bean
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Scientific study or trial, Advisory service, research institute, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Chives
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Garlic
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Garlic chives
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Leek
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
- Self-incompatibility
Onion
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Pea
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Scientific study or trial, Advisory service, research institute, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Pole bean
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Scientific study or trial, Advisory service, research institute, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Runner bean
Both are attacked by stem nematodes, tiny roundworms in the soil. Leave two years between them.
Rotation break: 2 years
Evidence quality: moderate
Evidence: Scientific study or trial, Advisory service, research institute, Derived from plant family or pathogen, pair not directly documented
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Shallot
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Spring onion
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Swiss chard
Leeks multiply the beet cyst nematode without suffering themselves. Beetroot and chard suffer afterwards, so leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute
Reasons:
- Both host the same nematode species
Tree onion
Onion family plants share soil fungi such as white rot, whose resting bodies survive in the soil for up to 20 years. Leave four years between them.
Rotation break: 4 years
Evidence quality: good
Evidence: Advisory service, research institute, Specialist book
Reasons:
- Shared soil-borne pathogen
- Both host the same nematode species
Varieties
You need to look closely at the varieties. There are ones for spring, summer and autumn growing. Depending on the type, the growing times change.
Care and fertilising
Feed several times with small amounts of organic fertiliser or plant brews. Hoe between the rows and carefully earth up the shanks as you go. Try not to get soil into the leaf axils.
Diseases and pests
Susceptible to
Allium leaf miner(high susceptibility)
Garlic fly
Leek moth(high susceptibility)
Leek rust
Leek yellow stripe
Onion basal rot(low susceptibility)
Onion downy mildew
Onion fly
Onion thrips(high susceptibility)
Onion yellow dwarf
Purple blotch
Stem nematode(high susceptibility)
White rot
White tip
Multiplies, with little harm to itself
Beet cyst nematode
Harvest and processing
Once the leek stalks are thick enough, around 3 cm, you can harvest them. Carefully loosen the soil next to the leek with a digging fork. That way you can pull them out of the ground more easily. In the fridge, leeks keep for about 1 to 2 weeks. In a cool cellar or similar, stood upright in damp sand, they last around 3 to 4 weeks. Cut into fine strips, blanched and frozen, they keep for between 9 months and a year. If you don't have that many leek plants in the garden, you can also just cut them off just above the soil surface — they'll grow back again.
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