Long-season Leek
King Richard stands as Johnny's Selected Seeds exclusive leek variety, celebrated for its remarkable earliness and impressive size. This open-pollinated cultivar reaches 18-30 inches tall and delivers substantial harvests in just 75 days from transplant, making it one of the fastest leeks to mature. Growing with a compact bush habit and requiring 12-inch spacing, King Richard produces hefty stalks that belie its quick growing time, offering gardeners both speed and substance in their leek beds.
Full Sun
—
3-10
30in H x ?in W
Perennial
High
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What sets King Richard apart is its exceptional combination of speed and size, maturing weeks ahead of traditional leek varieties without sacrificing the thick, substantial stalks gardeners prize. As an exclusive variety from Johnny's Selected Seeds, it represents careful selection for performance, delivering mature leeks in just 75 days from transplant. The variety's compact growth habit makes efficient use of garden space while its open-pollinated nature ensures gardeners can save seeds for future seasons.
King Richard excels in the kitchen wherever substantial leeks are needed, from classic potato leek soups to braised preparations that showcase its impressive girth. The thick white stalks hold their texture beautifully in long-cooking dishes, while the tender green tops add depth to stocks and broths. Its early maturity makes it perfect for extending the leek season, providing fresh harvests when other varieties are still developing.
Start seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before the last frost date, sowing in flats 1/4 inch deep and 1/4 inch apart, or use plug flats and thin to one plant per cell. Soil temperature should be at least 40°F, ideally 60-85°F for optimal germination.
Transplant in late spring when seedlings are approximately 8 inches tall and pencil-thick, setting them 6 inches apart in holes dibbled 6 inches deep. Allow only 2-3 inches of leaves to extend above soil surface and avoid firming soil around transplants, letting irrigation or rain naturally fill the dibble holes.
For direct sowing, plant 2-4 weeks before average last frost date for late summer harvest, or in late spring for fall harvest. In mild climates, sow in late summer for the following spring harvest.
Harvest King Richard leeks at 75 days from transplant when stalks have reached desired thickness, typically when the white portion measures 1-2 inches in diameter. Pull entire plants from the soil, roots and all, then trim roots and remove any damaged outer leaves before use.
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