How do I grow leeks and what are the timings
2 October 2026
Ali, **sow leeks in spring, plant them out in early summer, and harvest from autumn onwards**. These are **UK timings**—if you’re growing elsewhere, tell me your region so I can adjust them. ([rhs.org.uk](https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/leeks/grow-your-own))
### Timings
- **February–April:** sow under cover; **March–April:** sow outdoors.
- **May–July:** transplant when roughly pencil-thick and 20cm tall.
- **Autumn–spring:** harvest according to variety; choose a hardy winter variety for winter picking. ([rhs.org.uk](https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/leeks/grow-your-own))
### How to grow them
1. **Prepare the bed:** choose sunny, well-drained ground and add well-rotted compost.
2. **Sow:** plant seeds 1.5cm deep in peat-free seed compost or a prepared seedbed. Keep moist, not sodden. ([rhs.org.uk](https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/leeks/grow-your-own))
3. **Plant out:** gradually acclimatise indoor-grown seedlings outdoors. Make holes 15cm deep, spaced 15–20cm apart, with 30cm between rows. Lower one leek into each hole and water it in—**don’t fill the hole with soil**; it fills gradually. This encourages a longer white stem. ([rhs.org.uk](https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/leeks/grow-your-own))
4. **Maintain:** weed regularly, water while establishing and during prolonged dry spells. Insect-proof mesh helps protect against insect pests.
5. **Harvest:** loosen with a fork and lift as needed; winter varieties can remain in the ground. ([rhs.org.uk](https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/leeks/grow-your-own))
**For now, 2 October 2026:** I’d plan a spring 2027 sowing rather than start a normal outdoor crop this late. ([rhs.org.uk](https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/leeks/grow-your-own))
