‘Delft’ winter leek, certified organic seeds (Allium porrum)

Name: ‘Delft’ winter leek, certified organic seeds ( Allium porrum )
Brand: Gaia
Price: 4.99 CAD
Availability: InStock

Allium porrum

Winter leek with long well-wrapped shafts and a tender cooked texture. Organic heirloom; maturity in 120 days. Read the packet directions before starting and keep the label so the variety remains clearly identified throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium and moisten it before placing the seeds so they are not displaced by the first watering. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water because excess moisture reduces air around developing roots. Move seedlings into bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to encourage balanced growth. Where several seedlings compete for the same space, thin carefully and retain the strongest plants without disturbing their roots.

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Detailed plant guide

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‘Delft’ winter leek, certified organic seeds (Allium porrum) This heirloom forms long well-wrapped shafts and strong upright foliage. Its texture becomes tender and melting after light cooking, while sliced pieces turn an appealing bright green. Delft is a biennial open-pollinated leek grown mainly for its white shaft and leaves during the first season. The packet contains approximately 110 seeds certified organic by Ecocert Canada. Kew recognizes Allium porrum as the accepted botanical name in the Amaryllidaceae family. Both white and green portions suit soups, quiches, sautés, and braised dishes. Good cold tolerance extends the autumn harvest and allows gardeners to enjoy fresh leeks after many other vegetables have finished.

Start seed indoors 10 to 12 weeks before planting. Sow approximately 1/2 inch deep, spacing seeds 1/4 inch apart in trays. Maintain the medium at 7 to 29°C, preferably around 26°C; germination generally takes 10 to 14 days. Move seedlings into bright light immediately after emergence. When plants reach 10 to 16 inches, transplant them 6 inches deep, leaving only 2 to 4 inches of leaves above the soil. Space plants 4 to 6 inches apart and rows approximately 24 inches apart. This deep planting encourages a long tender white shaft without immediate hilling. Water gently after transplanting to settle soil around the roots and maintain steady growth.

Grow Delft in full sun or light partial shade and rich deep loose well-drained soil that remains evenly moist. Plants reach approximately 24 to 36 inches high and 6 to 12 inches wide. Maturity occurs after approximately 120 days, although leeks can be harvested younger. Gaia states that flavour is best in autumn after a few cold nights and lists cold tolerance to approximately −11°C. Lift plants gently with a garden fork to preserve the shafts. For longer storage, pack clean harvested leeks in slightly moist sand in a root cellar at approximately 1 to 2°C. Inspect them regularly and remove damaged leaves before they affect neighbouring plants.

Uses in the garden

Plant Delft in rows in a deep fertile bed. Transplanting 6 inches deep naturally blanches a long section of shaft. Cold tolerance allows part of the crop to remain in the garden into autumn, with mulch when temperatures stay low. Read the packet directions before starting and keep the label so the variety remains clearly identified throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium and moisten it before placing the seeds so they are not displaced by the first watering. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water because excess moisture reduces air around developing roots. Move seedlings into bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to encourage balanced growth. Where several seedlings compete for the same space, thin carefully and retain the strongest plants without disturbing their roots. Before outdoor planting, gradually acclimatize young plants to wind, sunlight, and changing temperatures over several days. Follow the stated spacing so air can move between plants and each plant receives adequate light, water, and nutrients. Water at soil level when the surface begins to dry, then adjust frequency for weather, drainage, and container volume. A light mulch can reduce splashing and moisture swings after the soil has warmed and plants are established.

01 How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains approximately 110 seeds certified organic by Ecocert Canada. Delft is a biennial open-pollinated heirloom variety. Read the packet directions before starting and keep the label so the variety remains clearly identified throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium and moisten it before placing the seeds so they are not displaced by the first watering. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water because excess moisture reduces air around developing roots. Move seedlings into bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to encourage balanced growth. Where several seedlings compete for the same space, thin carefully and retain the strongest plants without disturbing their roots.

02 How should the seeds be started?

Sow approximately 1/2 inch deep, 10 to 12 weeks before planting. Transplant 6 inches deep when seedlings reach 10 to 16 inches. Read the packet directions before starting and keep the label so the variety remains clearly identified throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium and moisten it before placing the seeds so they are not displaced by the first watering. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water because excess moisture reduces air around developing roots. Move seedlings into bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to encourage balanced growth. Where several seedlings compete for the same space, thin carefully and retain the strongest plants without disturbing their roots.

03 How long does germination take?

Germination generally takes 10 to 14 days at 7 to 29°C, preferably around 26°C. Read the packet directions before starting and keep the label so the variety remains clearly identified throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium and moisten it before placing the seeds so they are not displaced by the first watering. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water because excess moisture reduces air around developing roots. Move seedlings into bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to encourage balanced growth. Where several seedlings compete for the same space, thin carefully and retain the strongest plants without disturbing their roots.

04 How should planting be organized?

Space plants 4 to 6 inches apart and rows approximately 24 inches apart. Transplant deeply, leaving 2 to 4 inches of leaves above soil. Read the packet directions before starting and keep the label so the variety remains clearly identified throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium and moisten it before placing the seeds so they are not displaced by the first watering. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water because excess moisture reduces air around developing roots. Move seedlings into bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to encourage balanced growth.

05 When should it be harvested?

Harvest from approximately 120 days or younger according to desired size. Flavour is best after a few cold autumn nights. Read the packet directions before starting and keep the label so the variety remains clearly identified throughout the season. Prepare a clean, loose, well-drained growing medium and moisten it before placing the seeds so they are not displaced by the first watering. Keep the seedbed evenly moist without standing water because excess moisture reduces air around developing roots. Move seedlings into bright light as soon as they emerge and rotate containers regularly to encourage balanced growth. Where several seedlings compete for the same space, thin carefully and retain the strongest plants without disturbing their roots.