Large Flag Leek Seeds (Allium ampeloprasum) – Heirloom Variety with Robust Flavor and Thick, Tender Stalks for Gourmet Cooking
Minimum: 50+ Seeds
Heirloom Flavor, Sturdy Growth, and a Gardener’s Cold-Season Secret
Large Flag Leek is a classic heirloom allium beloved for its thick, tender stalks, refined onion-like sweetness, and impressive cold-hardiness. Grown in European kitchen gardens for over a century, this variety is a reliable, high-yield choice for chefs, homesteaders, and anyone who wants a gourmet staple straight from the soil.
Whether you’re making creamy potato-leek soup, caramelizing for tarts, or slicing into a fresh garden salad, Large Flag delivers subtle yet rich flavor in every bite—and it stands strong in the field well into cool weather.
Key Features:
🧅 Thick, Tender Stalks – Broad white shanks that reach up to 12" long when blanched
🏡 Heirloom Kitchen Staple – Trusted by generations for dependable yields
🍲 Mild, Sweet Onion Flavor – Ideal for soups, sautés, gratins, and roasting
🌱 Cold-Hardy & Resilient – Thrives in zones 3–9 and tolerates light frost
🌾 Open-Pollinated & Non-GMO – Perfect for seed saving and sustainable gardens
📅 Flexible Harvest – Pull early for “baby leeks” or grow to full size
Why Grow Large Flag Leek?
👨🍳 Gourmet Ingredient at Your Fingertips – Elevate everyday meals with garden-fresh flavor
📜 Historic Heirloom – A variety with deep European roots and lasting culinary value
🥕 Market-Ready Appearance – Uniform, beautiful leeks for farmers’ markets & CSA boxes
🌿 Space-Efficient Crop – Works well in beds, rows, and interplanted gardens
🧄 Reliable Cool-Season Performer – Bridges the gap between summer and winter harvests
Growing Information:
☀️ Light Requirements: Full sun (tolerates partial shade)
📆 Days to Maturity: 90–120 days
📏 Plant Height: 12–18 inches tall with long blanched stalks
🌱 Sowing Depth: ¼ inch
🪴 Spacing: 6 inches apart in rows 12–18 inches apart
🌡️ Optimal Temp Range: 55–75°F
💧 Watering: Keep consistently moist; even watering ensures tenderness
🌾 Blanching Tip: Hill soil around stems or plant deeply for long white shanks
How to Use Large Flag Leek:
🍲 Soups & Stews – The classic base for potato-leek soup and creamy chowders
🥧 Savory Pies & Quiches – Mild flavor pairs beautifully with eggs, cheese, and herbs
🔥 Grilled or Roasted – Caramelizes to sweet perfection with olive oil and salt
🥗 Fresh in Salads – Slice thin for a delicate, oniony crunch
🧺 Winter Storage – Keeps well when cooled and slightly damp, lasting for weeks
Perfect For:
🌱 Home Gardeners – Easy to grow and rewarding for the kitchen
🏕️ Self-Sufficient Homesteads – Reliable cold-season crop for fresh eating and storage
🌾 Market Growers – High-value, visually appealing produce
🍽️ Culinary Enthusiasts – Fresh, mild leeks that make recipes shine
🌻 Heirloom Seed Collectors – A storied variety worth preserving
Common Questions:
❓ Are leeks perennial?
Large Flag is grown as an annual or biennial, but can overwinter in mild climates for early harvest.
❓ Do they need special soil?
They thrive in loose, fertile soil rich in compost. Avoid heavy clay for the straightest stalks.
❓ How do I get the long white part?
Either plant seedlings in deep trenches or hill soil around stems as they grow to keep sunlight off the lower stalks.
🌱 Grow a Cold-Season Classic
Large Flag Leek is more than a vegetable—it’s a link to centuries of garden tradition, offering dependable harvests, gourmet flavor, and visual beauty in the field.
👉 Plant Large Flag Leek Seeds this season and bring heirloom flavor to your table.