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Seeds
Amaryllidaceae
Organic seeds
Leek ‘King Richard’
Allium ampeloprasum
Product code : TOURNE-0117
Leek ‘King Richard’ develops long white shanks topped with upright green foliage. Ferme Tourne-Sol offers 100 organic, open-pollinated seeds suitable for seed saving, with a stated maturity of 75 days. Start seeds indoors about eight weeks before spring planting. This cool-season crop tolerates frost, prefers full sun, and needs fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Proper spacing, regular irrigation, and gradual hilling encourage long, tender shanks that are easy to use in soups, stews, savoury pies, roasted dishes, and other everyday meals. Its upright habit simplifies maintenance and helps produce clean harvests that are easy to prepare in the kitchen. The packet suits both family gardens and large-container growing in Canadian conditions.
- Quantity
- 100 seeds
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Life cycle
- Biennial grown as an annual
Discover the plant
Common nameLeek ‘King Richard’
FamilyAmaryllidaceae
GenusAllium
Speciesampeloprasum
CultivarKing Richard
TypeSeeds
Botanical nameAllium ampeloprasum
Reproducible seedsYes
Leek ‘King Richard’ (Allium ampeloprasum) is a long-stemmed variety that forms an elongated white shank beneath a fan of upright green leaves. Ferme Tourne-Sol offers 100 organic, open-pollinated seeds suitable for seed saving. The stated maturity is 75 days, depending on growing conditions and the harvest stage. This cool-season leek brings a mild flavour to soups, stews, savoury pies, and roasted vegetables. Its vertical shape uses relatively little garden width while creating a productive row with a clean, architectural appearance. The packet of 100 seeds makes it practical to organize several sowings and harvest according to household needs.
Start seeds indoors about eight weeks before spring planting. Sow 6 to 13 mm (1/4 to 1/2 in) deep, keep the medium moist, and provide abundant light after emergence. Harden seedlings off before setting them in full sun, 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) apart, in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Leeks tolerate frost, but their shallow roots require regular irrigation. Gradually hilling soil around the stems encourages a longer blanched shank. Keep weeds controlled without damaging the shallow root system. A light mulch also helps preserve that moisture while reducing weed competition around the plant's shallow roots.
Harvest ‘King Richard’ at about 75 days or when the shank reaches the preferred diameter. Loosen the ground with a garden fork first so the long stem does not break. Use the white and pale-green portions after washing carefully between the leaf layers. This variety suits kitchen gardens, raised beds, or a large, deep container. Prevent dogs, cats, and horses from eating leeks because Allium plants are toxic to these animals. Ferme Tourne-Sol recommends one planting per season, and the harvested crop can be refrigerated, frozen after blanching, or cooked promptly. Its long shanks clean easily and work especially well in soups, braises, roasted dishes, and everyday seasonal cooking.
Sowing guide
It all startswith a seed.
Sowing depth
6 to 13 mm (1/4 to 1/2 in)
Spacing / density
10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) between plants
Sowing period
Start indoors eight weeks before spring planting
Propagation
Seed
Growing method
Start Leek ‘King Richard’ indoors about eight weeks before spring planting. Sow 6 to 13 mm (1/4 to 1/2 in) deep in a light, moist seed-starting medium. Keep the mix evenly moist without saturating it, then provide abundant light after emergence. The official page does not specify a germination temperature or emergence period, so also follow the instructions printed on the packet received. When seedlings are easy to handle, harden them off gradually to wind, sun, and cool nights. Transplant into full sun and rich, moist, well-drained soil, leaving 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) between plants. For a longer shank, set transplants in a hole about 15 cm (6 in) deep, water them into place, and let the hole fill gradually. Soil can also be hilled around stems two or three times during growth without burying the central leaves. Irrigate regularly because roots remain shallow. Weed carefully and apply light mulch. The variety tolerates frost, and Ferme Tourne-Sol recommends one planting per season. Harvest at about 75 days while also checking actual shank diameter. After transplanting, apply a light mulch to stabilize moisture and monitor the young plants until they are fully established. Keep weeds from competing with their shallow roots, and add soil around the shanks gradually without covering the growing centre.
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Care level
Moderate
Watering
Water regularly throughout growth because leeks have shallow roots and drought stress reduces plant size. After transplanting, moisten the soil deeply to support establishment. Thereafter, provide about 2.5 to 3.8 cm (1 to 1 1/2 in) of water per week according to rainfall, heat, and soil texture. Mulch limits evaporation, but avoid leaving standing water around the stems or keeping heavy soil continuously saturated.
Soil type
Leek ‘King Richard’ prefers rich, loose, moist, well-drained soil. Incorporate mature compost before planting to improve structure and water retention without creating saturation. Its shallow roots benefit from a surface that remains evenly moist. Avoid compacted ground, persistent puddles, and fresh manure. Soil with adequate depth makes dibble-hole planting and later hilling easier when the goal is to lengthen the white blanched shank.
Fertilization
Prepare the soil with mature compost and use a soil test when nutrient needs must be defined. Leeks benefit from steady fertility during their long growth period. When testing supports it, a side-dressing of nitrogen in spring and again in early summer encourages shank development. Keep fertilizer away from the stems, water after application, and avoid excessive rates that produce imbalanced growth or unnecessary nutrient runoff.
Moisture
Evenly moist soil
Seasonal care
In late winter or early spring, start seeds indoors and place seedlings under abundant light. Maintain even moisture, thin when needed, and rotate trays to keep growth upright. After about eight weeks, harden plants off before setting them outdoors. In spring, transplant into full sun, water deeply, and add mulch after the soil has warmed. Through summer, weed carefully to avoid damaging shallow roots. Irrigate each week according to rainfall and hill soil around the shanks in two or three stages to lengthen the white portion. A side-dressing of nitrogen can be applied when a soil test supports it. Monitor for thrips and onion maggot damage, and use crop rotation. From about 75 days, check shank diameter and harvest progressively. In autumn, take advantage of frost tolerance, but lift the crop before the ground freezes deeply in Canadian conditions. Healthy leeks can be refrigerated or held cold in a humid medium; remove diseased debris. During winter, clean containers and plan a different botanical family for the next crop in that bed. At every stage, avoid covering the centre of the plants and inspect the foliage for slowed growth, damage, or moisture stress. Keep beds weeded gently because leek roots remain close to the surface. As autumn advances, harvest the largest shanks first and leave smaller plants to continue sizing while the soil remains workable. Before severe winter freezing, lift the remaining crop, clean it, and refrigerate or blanch and freeze portions for later meals.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Recommended pot size
Large, deep, well-drained container
Leek ‘King Richard’ can grow in a large, deep container, although garden soil makes hilling easier. Choose a stable box with many drainage holes and enough depth for the shank and roots to develop. Fill it with a rich, airy soilless mix amended with mature compost. Do not fill the box completely at first; keep room to add mix gradually around the stems without burying the central leaves. Place the container in full sun and leave 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) between plants. Check moisture often because potting mix dries quickly in wind and heat. Water thoroughly, then let excess drain away. Light, divided feeding can support this long crop when the mix becomes depleted. Weed by hand and keep the surface loose. Rotate the container if light comes mainly from one side. Harvest at about 75 days or according to diameter after loosening the mix around the base. Before severe cold, move the container to a protected location or harvest the plants because pots freeze faster than garden soil. Rotate the container periodically if light is uneven, and remove damaged leaves promptly to maintain good air circulation. Check moisture below the surface before watering, since wind and warm weather can dry a container quickly even when the top appears damp.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Foliage color
Green
Foliage type
Herbaceous
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Upright
Fragrance
Mild Allium flavour
Days to maturity
75 days
Harvest
Harvest at about 75 days or when the shank reaches the preferred diameter
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
Leek ‘King Richard’ can share a bed with vegetables that need full sun, fertile soil, and even moisture, including carrots, beets, celery, or lettuce. Choose combinations mainly according to space, irrigation access, and harvest timing. Neighbouring crops should not prevent hilling or shade the upright leaves. After leeks, rotate with another botanical family instead of immediately planting onions, garlic, chives, or other Allium crops in the same location. Companion planting helps organize the bed but does not replace pest monitoring or crop rotation.
Recipe idea
From the gardento your plate.
Edible parts
White shank and pale-green portions for humans
Prepare braised creamy leeks for four. Clean four ‘King Richard’ leeks thoroughly, split them, and rinse between the layers. Slice the white and pale-green portions. Melt 30 ml (2 tbsp) butter or heat the same amount of oil in a large skillet. Add the leeks with a pinch of salt, cover, and cook gently for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender without browning. Stir in 60 ml (1/4 cup) cream or unsweetened plant-based alternative, 5 ml (1 tsp) mustard, and pepper. Heat for another two minutes. Serve with fish, potatoes, savoury pie, or toast. Refrigerate leftovers promptly in a covered container and use them within the following days. This preparation is for people; never feed leek to dogs, cats, or horses because Allium plants are toxic to these animals. For longer storage, slice the shanks, blanch them for two to three minutes, cool them immediately in ice water, drain thoroughly, and freeze in useful portions. The frozen pieces can go directly into cooked dishes, making it easy to enjoy the harvest during winter without sacrificing the entire crop at once.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
How should Leek ‘King Richard’ be sown?
Start seeds indoors about eight weeks before spring planting. Fill a tray with a light, moist seed-starting medium, then sow 6 to 13 mm (1/4 to 1/2 in) deep. Keep the mix evenly moist without saturating it and provide abundant light after emergence. The official page does not specify a germination temperature or emergence period, so also consult the directions printed on the packet received. When seedlings are strong enough, harden them off gradually to wind, sun, and outdoor temperatures. Transplant into full sun, 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) apart, in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Water immediately after planting to settle soil around the shallow roots.
How can a long white shank be produced?
Set transplants in a hole about 15 cm (6 in) deep and water them into place without immediately filling the entire hole. Soil gradually settles around the plant. During growth, add another 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 in) of soil around the shanks on two or three occasions. Excluding light lengthens the white, tender portion. Never cover the centre where new leaves emerge. Use loose soil, keep it moist, and weed carefully to avoid cutting the shallow roots. In a container, preserve empty space above the initial potting mix so more material can be added gradually around the stems as they grow.
When should Leek ‘King Richard’ be harvested?
Ferme Tourne-Sol lists maturity at about 75 days. Begin checking shank diameter at that point and harvest according to the size you want. Leeks can be used when they exceed roughly 2.5 cm (1 in) in diameter, although thinner plants are also edible. Water the previous day if the soil is dry, then loosen the ground with a fork beside the plant before pulling gently at the base. The variety tolerates frost, allowing a gradual cool-season harvest. In Canadian regions with severe winters, lift plants before the ground freezes deeply. Clean them, remove damaged portions, and refrigerate promptly to limit moisture loss and preserve texture.
Can ‘King Richard’ be grown in a container?
Yes, when the container is large, deep, and well drained. Use a stable box with many holes and fill it with a rich, loose, aerated potting mix. Keep open space above the initial level so more mix can be added gradually around the shanks. Place the box in full sun and leave 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) between plants. Maintain even moisture because containers dry faster than garden soil, while allowing excess water to escape. Light, divided feeding can support the long season. Harvest at about 75 days according to diameter, and protect or empty the container before severe cold because it freezes more quickly than the ground.
Are ‘King Richard’ seeds organic and open-pollinated?
Yes. Ferme Tourne-Sol offers this packet of 100 seeds as an organic product certified by Ecocert Canada. The farm also describes its seeds as open-pollinated and suitable for seed saving. Leek is biennial: it normally forms its shank in the first season, then flowers after a cold period. Keeping the cultivar true therefore requires time, several healthy plants, and suitable isolation from other compatible flowering Allium crops. Allow umbels to mature, collect them during dry weather, and finish drying away from moisture. Label saved seed with the cultivar and harvest year, then store it in a cool, dry location until the next sowing season.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Reported toxicity
Yes
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