The garden leek is a Mediterranean species that was cultivated by the Egyptians as early as 3,200 BCE. Thomas Jefferson planted a variety of Flag Leek in his vegetable garden at Monticello in 1812. The Giant Musselburgh Leek originated in England in the early 1800's, and was praised by Fearing Burr in Field and Garden Vegetables of America (1863) as "hardy and of excellent quality".Sow seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before the last frost date, then transplant to moist but well-drained, fertile soil. To blanch the leeks, hill soil up around the stalks by 1" every 2 weeks. Very cold-tolerant. Approximately 150 seeds per packet.
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