Roots & bulbs
Leek
A long, mild stem harvested as needed.
Sowing & planting windows in Australia
Planting timing varies by broad Australian gardening zone. Local weather, unusual seasons and your garden’s microclimate can shift timing.
Cool
Sow · Sep-Apr
Core months: January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December
Temperate
Sow · Aug-Apr
Core months: January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November, December
Subtropical
Sow · Jan-Apr, Aug-Sep
Core months: January, February, March, April, August, September
Tropical
Sow · Mar-May
Core months: March, April, May
Arid
Sow · Feb-Apr, Jul-Sep
Core months: February, March, April, July, August, September
Getting started
Start from seed in a seedbed or trays and transplant the young plants, or sow directly and thin. A shallow trench allows soil to be drawn around the stems as they grow.
The right conditions
Use fertile, well-prepared soil with reliable moisture and good drainage. Give plants enough room for the stem thickness you want.
As it grows
Keep weeds down and water in dry spells. If earthing up to blanch the stem, add soil gradually and keep it out of the leaf folds.
Ready to harvest
Lift leeks once the stems are large enough to use. Loosen the soil with a fork before lifting, particularly in heavy ground. You can take smaller plants first and leave others to develop.
Plant guidance: Desk-reviewed against linked sources; not field-tested. Planting windows are a guide rather than a rule.