Leek Carentan 3

Leek Carentan 3 — variety description

Leek Carentan 3 (Allium porrum L.) is a biennial crop grown for harvest as early as the first year, from the onion family (Amaryllidaceae). This is a hardy leek that has medium to large stems and good yields.

This is a fast-growing and vigorous variety that is easy to grow and requires no maintenance – ideal for beginner gardeners.

Carentan 3 has a delicate, mild flavour and is great fresh or cooked. The leek is a very healthy and versatile vegetable.

Leek also contains: vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B11, C and K. and the minerals: calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc.

It also contains plenty of fibre and few calories. The concentration of healthy nutrients is highest in the green part of the plant.

The leek is a sweet and mild onion for soups, stews and pies. It is cold-hardy and can stay in the garden until winter.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 95%
• Seeds per packet: 244–331 pcs (0.9 g)
• Seed origin: South Africa
• Sowing: February – May; seedlings
• Harvest: January and October – December
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Leek Carentan 3

Leek Carentan 3 seeds are sown in February – May. Harvest in January and October – December. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Leek Carentan 3

• Sowing method: seedlings
• Depth: 1 cm
• Spacing: 15 cm in the row, 30–40 cm between rows
• Germination: 10–14 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: sunny spot

The leek is extremely hardy and can be planted as soon as the soil is workable. Sow in pots in early or mid-spring to produce pencil-thick seedlings about 20 cm tall. Sow outdoors from early April. Choose a sunny spot with good, loose, moisture-retentive soil. Plant in pre-made holes 10-15 cm deep and 20 cm apart between plants in a sunny spot. Trim off 1/3 of the top and 1/3 of the roots to stimulate growth.

Plant the seedlings in deep furrows and gradually earth them up to obtain a long white part.

Harvest and use

Harvest from August through winter.

Frequently asked questions

When should Leek Carentan 3 be sown?

The recommended sowing months are February – May. Sowing method: seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 244–331 seeds, pack size 0.9 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 95%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

How do you get a long white leek?

Plant the seedlings deeper and earth up 2–3 times during the season.