Large Leek 'Monstruoso di Carentan 2'

500 Seeds

Seeding Leek 'Monstruoso di Carentan 2'—a classic Italian heirloom leek variety known for its thick, tender stalks and mild, sweet flavor—is a rewarding process. This large, hardy variety is great for fall and winter harvests and performs well in both home and market gardens.

Here’s your complete guide to seeding and growing it successfully:

🌱 Quick Facts

• Variety: Allium ampeloprasum 'Monstruoso di Carentan 2'

• Type: Biennial (grown as an annual for harvest)

• Days to maturity: ~100–130 days

• Best for: Fall and winter harvests

• Stalk size: Thick, short-to-medium shanks

📅 When to Sow

✅ Indoors (recommended):

• Start seeds: 10–12 weeks before your last spring frost
  (e.g., January–March for a spring start)

🌱 Outdoors (direct sow):

• In mild climates, sow directly in early spring or late summer (for fall harvest)

🌿 How to Sow Indoors

1. Fill trays or deep containers with moist, fine seed-starting mix.

2. Sow seeds about ¼ inch (6 mm) deep.

3. Spacing (in trays): Sow densely—leeks tolerate crowding when young.

4. Temperature: 60–70°F (15–21°C)

5. Light: 12–16 hours per day with grow lights or bright window.

6. ⏱️ Germination: 7–14 days

🌞 Transplanting Outdoors

• Harden off seedlings when 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) tall and pencil-thick.

• Transplant depth: Plant deep—bury up to the first leaf to blanch the stalk.

• Spacing: 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) apart in rows 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) apart.

• Soil: Rich, loose, and well-drained. Add compost and a balanced fertilizer.

🧑🌾 Care & Maintenance

• Water: Keep consistently moist, especially during dry spells.

• Feed: Side-dress with compost or a nitrogen-rich fertilizer every 3–4 weeks.

• Blanching (optional): To get long white stalks, hill soil around the stems or use mulch as they grow.

• Weed control: Important—leeks don’t compete well with weeds.

🧄 Harvesting

• Time: 100–130 days after transplanting

• Harvest when stems are thick and white—about 1–2 inches in diameter.

• Use a garden fork to lift them gently from the soil.

❄️ Cold Hardiness

• Very cold-tolerant—can overwinter in milder climates with mulch.

• Sweetens after light frost.