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King Richard — Onions & alliums

75days to harvest

7-14 daysdays to germinate

Z4–9USDA zones

Easydifficulty

Heirloom

Sowing

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date and transplant seedlings; or direct sow in mid-summer for fall/winter harvest

Cultivation

Sun: Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
Water: Regular, consistent moisture; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged
Soil: Well-drained loam with rich organic matter, slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0)
Spacing: 4-6 inches (standard), or 2-3 inches for baby leeks
Height: 1-3 feet

Appearance & flavour

Colour: White shanks with medium-green leaves
Shape: Long, cylindrical white shanks with upright green foliage
Flavour: Mild, slightly sweet onion-like flavor with tender, delicate white shanks

In the kitchen

Soups, braising, sautéing, stir-fries, gratins, side dishes

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests: Leek moth, onion thrips, leek rust mite
Diseases: Leek rust, fusarium wilt, pink root

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Zone	Start indoors	Transplant	Direct sow	Harvest
1	—	—	June – July	August – September
2	—	—	May – July	August – September
3	—	—	May – June	July – October
4	—	—	April – June	July – October
5	—	—	April – May	June – November
6	—	—	April – May	June – November
7	—	—	March – May	June – November
8	—	—	March – April	May – December
9	—	—	February – March	April – December
10	—	—	January – March	April – December
11	—	—	January – February	March – December
12	—	—	January – February	March – December
13	—	—	January – February	March – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

TomatoesLeeks repel aphids and improve tomato flavor while tomatoes don't compete for nutrients

CarrotsLeeks deter carrot fly while carrots help break up soil for leek roots

BrassicasLeeks repel cabbage worms and flea beetles that commonly attack brassicas

LettuceShallow-rooted lettuce doesn't compete with leeks and benefits from their pest-repelling properties

StrawberriesLeeks deter slugs and aphids that damage strawberry plants

RosesLeeks repel aphids and may reduce black spot disease in roses

CeleryBoth have similar water needs and leeks help repel celery leaf miner

MarigoldsBoth plants repel nematodes and work together to deter various garden pests

Avoid

BeansLegumes can inhibit allium growth and development through root competition

PeasPeas and other legumes may stunt leek growth through allelopathic effects

AsparagusBoth are heavy feeders that compete for similar nutrients, reducing yields for both

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g): 40
Protein (g): 1.1
Fat (g): 0.1
Carbohydrate (g): 9.34
Fibre (g): 1.7
Sugars (g): 4.24
Vitamin A (µg): 0
Vitamin C (mg): 7.4
Vitamin E (mg): 0.02
Vitamin K (µg): 0.4
Vitamin B6 (mg): 0.12
Folate (µg): 19
Calcium (mg): 23
Iron (mg): 0.21
Magnesium (mg): 10
Phosphorus (mg): 29
Potassium (mg): 146
Zinc (mg): 0.17
Selenium (µg): 0.5

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Where to buy seed and equipment

Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the onions & alliums growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

King Richard

Sowing

Cultivation

Appearance & flavour

In the kitchen

Pests, disease & resistance

Planting calendar by USDA zone

Companion planting

Avoid

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Where to buy seed and equipment

Grown King Richard?

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