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Poireau Below-Zero F1
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Dispatch by letter from €3.90.
Delivery charge from €5.90 Oversize package delivery charge from €6.90.
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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty
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We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
Seed-only orders are dispatched by sealed envelope. The delivery charge for seed-only orders is €3.90.
Allium porrum 'Below Zero' is an English variety of leek that combines vigour and great cold resistance. This leek produces beautiful boles that can be stored in the ground for a long time without going to seed or being attacked by rust. Sow the seeds from March to April for a harvest from December to March.
Allium porrum is a biennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family. Originally from Central Asia, it was known to the Egyptians as early as 1500BC. Its foliage was long and very thin at that time. The Romans also appreciated it. Its appearance then resembled that of its cousin, the onion, with a very slender stem and a well-rounded bulb. It was introduced throughout Europe in the Middle Ages.
The leek has long, blue-green or dark green leaves that are wide and sheathing, forming what is called the stem, which is the white part that resembles a stalk. This stem is the most prized part. When white, its taste is very delicate and corresponds to the part that has not received light. At the end of the second year, it produces a stem topped with a spherical mauve umbel the size of a tennis ball, which has become the emblem of Wales.
Some winter varieties can withstand temperatures below -15°C (5°F) or even -20°C (-4°F). The seeds can be sown between February and August. Considered a winter vegetable, it can be harvested in almost all seasons. Leeks are rich in dietary fibre, which aids digestion. They are also rich in vitamins C and B, as well as sulphur compounds with antioxidant properties. They are also reputed, like onions, to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, among other benefits.
Leeks are not only good for health but also have a pleasant taste: their flavour is somewhere between that of an onion and an asparagus, which has led to one of their nicknames, "the poor man's asparagus". The white stem and the rootlets are mainly consumed. They are used in the preparation of many local dishes around the world. They are a key ingredient in traditional pot-au-feu, and can be eaten in soups, quiches, cold with vinaigrette, or even thinly sliced raw in salads, etc. The Japanese particularly appreciate them: they can be found in many recipes such as sushi and sashimi or delicious sesame leeks.
Harvesting: harvest your leeks as you need them. The harvest usually takes place 5 to 8 months after sowing. Gently pull the leek to avoid injuring or cutting the stem. If you encounter difficulties in this operation, use a small spade a few centimetres away from the desired leek and lever it out.
Storage: you can store them for two weeks in the vegetable compartment of your refrigerator. They can be kept for almost 3 months in the freezer. Bag them after blanching them for a few minutes, rinsing them under cold water, and then drying them carefully.
Gardener's tip: pair leeks with carrots. Carrot flies dislike leeks, and leek flies are not fond of carrots! Tomatoes, lettuces, and strawberries are also good companion plants for leeks. However, leeks dislike the presence of onions, beets, and beans.
To determine if a leek needs watering, simply observe its foliage: if it stands tall, it is not thirsty. If its foliage wilts and leans to the side, it probably needs a drink of water.
Note
This variety is labelled F1 for "F1 hybrid" because it is a variety resulting from the cross-breeding of carefully selected parents to combine their qualities. This results in a variety that can be particularly tasty and/or early, while being resistant to certain diseases. Sometimes criticised or wrongly associated with GMOs, F1 hybrid seeds are appreciated both for their uniformity and their resistance. Unfortunately, their qualities do not pass on to the next generations, so it will not be possible to save the seeds for future sowings.
Harvest
Plant habit
Foliage
Botanical data
Soil preparation
Leeks prefer rich and deep soils that are highly enriched with organic matter. However, be careful as the soil must have been enriched several months in advance, as it is sensitive to recent amendments. It is best to choose a location that is exposed to sunlight in generally moist soil that has been loosened beforehand.
Sowing
Sow the seeds from March to April for a harvest from December to March.
The seeds germinate at a temperature between 10 and 15°C (50 and 59°F). Germination generally takes between 14 and 21 days.
Leeks are considered winter vegetables, but there are a number of leeks that are grown in the summer. The leek's growth cycle is quite long and occurs in several phases.
Dig a furrow that is 2cm (1in) deep and sow a small number of seeds about every centimetre. Cover the furrow with special seed compost and lightly press down with a rake. Sow from February to May under shelter, depending on the climate (greenhouse, tunnel, etc.). Germination will take between fifteen days and three weeks. Transplant the seedlings once they reach a height of about 15cm (6in) and the thickness of a pencil. Before doing so, gently remove the young plants and let them dry in the soil and shade for two days. This aims to remove the leek's odour and thus avoid attacks from the onion fly.
Transplanting
Trim the leek before transplanting. "Trimming" means cutting the roots 2 to 3cm (1in) below the bulb and at the same time cutting the young leaves a few centimetres above the stem. Removing the roots aids rooting, and cutting the leaves prevents rapid evaporation.
Next, prepare holes about 15cm (6in) deep, spaced 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) apart in all directions. Position your young plants into them. The white part should be completely buried. Water generously with a watering can, which will close the holes around the leek stems. They need nitrogen-rich soil. You can also place freshly mowed grass between the rows. After a period ranging from fifteen days to a month, the plants grow and strengthen. Then, it is advisable to mound soil around the stems to protect them from light, so they remain white and tender.
Overwintering
There are summer varieties and winter varieties, depending on their hardiness and the period in which the leeks should be sown. Sow in autumn for a harvest in spring. This means that some of them will spend the winter outside. In regions with harsh winters, it is sometimes necessary to consider overwintering the leeks, which means gathering them in a location sheltered from the wind and planting them obliquely before transplanting them again in spring.
Seedlings
Care
Intended location
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
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The flowering period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, etc.)
It will vary according to where you live:
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands).
It will vary according to where you live:
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.