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Yellow large from Poitou Leek - Vilmorin seeds - Allium porrum

Allium porrum Jaune gros du Poitou
Leek

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More information

This variety develops fairly short boles and beautiful trailing foliage that is light green. This leek is quite sensitive to cold. Sow the seeds from January to March for a summer harvest from June to September.
Ease of cultivation
Beginner
Height at maturity
65 cm
Spread at maturity
20 cm
Soil moisture
Moist soil
Germination time (days)
20 days
Sowing method
Direct sowing, Sowing under cover
Sowing period January to March
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Harvest time June to September
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Description

Allium porrum Large Yellow from Poitou is widely cultivated in west France. It develops fairly short boles and beautiful trailing foliage that is light green. This leek is quite sensitive to cold. Sow the seeds from January to March for a summer harvest from June to September. It is rarely grown in gardens, which is a shame because it is incredibly tender and tasty.

 

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 1500 BC. 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.

 

Harvest

Harvest time June to September
Type of vegetable Leaf vegetable
Size of vegetable Large
Interest Flavour, Nutritional value, Productive
Use Cooking

Plant habit

Height at maturity 65 cm
Spread at maturity 20 cm
Growth rate slow

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased

Botanical data

Genus

Allium

Species

porrum

Cultivar

Jaune gros du Poitou

Family

Alliaceae

Other common names

Leek

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Annual / Perennial

Biennial

Product reference28271

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Planting and care

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

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.

 

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Seedlings

Sowing period January to March
Sowing method Direct sowing, Sowing under cover
Germination time (days) 20 days

Care

Soil moisture Tolerant
Disease resistance Good
Pruning No pruning necessary

Intended location

Type of use Vegetable garden
Hardiness Hardy down to -29°C (USDA zone 5) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Soil Moist but well-draining, and rich in organic matter.
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Silty-loamy (rich and light), 130

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