Babington's Leek (Allium ampeloprasum babingtonii) is available for purchase in the UK from various suppliers:
Adaptive Seeds: Offers organic Babington's Leek bulbils for sale. Orders containing Babington's Leek and garlic or shallots will ship by late September.
Otter Farm: Provides Babington's leek bulbils for sale. Available in packets of 5 pips suitable for sowing in modules or small pots.
Kore Wild Fruit Nursery: Sells young Babington leek plants grown in 7 cm pots, available for mail-order.
Growild Nursery: Offers Babington's Leek bulbils for UK customers only.
Incredible Vegetables: Sells Babington perennial leek bulbils in packs of 20 with a special offer of 50% extra free.
Soil conditions, location, and cultivation
Will grow well in a wide range of garden soils, including clay ones – but does less well in especially gravelly soils.
Will grow in semi-shade or full sun.
Tolerant of wind.
Plant the bulbs or bulbils at any time of year, about 20cm apart, about 5-7.5cm deep.
Shoots will emerge in late winter or early spring.
Flower stalks do not usually emerge in the first year after planting, but in subsequent years, they appear in late spring/early summer and produce a head of bulbils (tiny bulbs) with a few sterile flowers.
Good Companion Plants for Leeks:
- Carrots: Leeks can help deter carrot root fly, and they share similar growth requirements.
- Celery: Both plants benefit from being planted together.
- Onions: Onions can help repel pests that may harm leeks, and they share similar growth conditions.
- Spinach: Spinach is a good companion plant for leeks.
