How to Grow King Richard Leek
Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum 'King Richard'
King Richard Leek is a robust variety of Allium ampeloprasum prized for its sturdy growth and mild flavor. Gardeners cultivate this cool-season crop to enjoy fresh greens well into the frosty months, benefiting from its resilience against light freezing temperatures.
Starting King Richard Leek: indoors or direct sow?
🏠 Start indoors 4 weeks before your last spring frost, then move the seedlings outside.
Start seeds indoors two to six weeks before the last frost date, then transplant sturdy seedlings outdoors once they have developed a few true leaves and the risk of hard freezes has passed.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 before sowing. As a cool-season crop, start seeds indoors two to six weeks before your last expected spring frost. Press seeds into the soil at a depth of about half an inch. Expect germination in ten to fourteen days once conditions are right.
Space seedlings four to six inches apart to ensure proper air circulation and growth. While leeks generally do not require trellising, monitor their height as they can reach three to four feet. Maintain consistent moisture with one to one-and-a-half inches of water weekly. Apply mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
Watch for onion maggot, thrips, and leek moth, which can damage foliage; practice crop rotation to prevent white rot, downy mildew, and purple blotch. Harvest your leeks seventy-five to eighty-five days after sowing when the bulbs are firm enough for use.
When to Plant King Richard Leek
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | June – July | August – September |
| Zone 2 | — | May – July | August – September |
| Zone 3 | — | May – June | July – October |
| Zone 4 | — | April – June | July – October |
| Zone 5 | — | April – May | July – November |
| Zone 6 | — | April – May | June – November |
| Zone 7 | — | March – May | June – November |
| Zone 8 | — | March – April | May – December |
| Zone 9 | — | February – March | April – December |
| Zone 10 | — | January – March | April – December |
| Zone 11 | — | January – February | March – December |
| Zone 12 | — | January – February | March – December |
| Zone 13 | — | January – February | March – December |
Companion Plants for King Richard Leek
✓ Good companions
Leeks deter cabbage worms and root maggots from brassicas
Complementary root depths and carrot rust fly is repelled by leek scent
Both prefer cool, moist conditions and have compatible growing requirements
Shallow roots complement deep leek roots, efficient space usage
Similar allium family benefits, both repel many common garden pests
Attracts beneficial insects and doesn't compete for nutrients
Cool season crop with shallow roots that complement leek growth pattern
Leeks repel aphids and whiteflies that commonly attack tomatoes
✗ Keep away from
Competes for similar soil nutrients and both are heavy feeders
Nitrogen fixation can cause excessive leaf growth at expense of bulb development
Heavy nitrogen production leads to weak, overly leafy leek growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
