When to Plant Leek in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Sow July to March. Right now in September you can sow.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Leek guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Leek

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Leeks are the gentle giant of the allium family. Milder than onions, easier than garlic, and more cold-hardy than both. They occupy the garden for a long time (5-6 months from seed) but require minimal attention once established. Excellent for cool-season gardens and highly adaptable across Australian zones. A staple of winter soups, gratins, and quiches.

Planting Calendar for Cool Temperate

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
S/T/D S/T/D T/D - - - S S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Leek sowing time in Melbourne?

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 13.1°C (optimal range: 13–24°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Melbourne), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Leek in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

Sow January to August. Transplant March to October. Leeks overwinter beautifully in Melbourne and produce thick, succulent stems.

Soil
Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Leeks are heavy feeders that benefit from deeply dug beds with generous compost and aged manure. Prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Add lime to acidic soils.
pH Range
6.5-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun (6+ hours). Tolerates partial shade better than most alliums, but stems will be thinner in shade.
Spacing
15cm apart, 40cm between rows
Watering
Consistent moisture throughout growth. Water deeply once or twice per week. Leeks are more drought-tolerant than onions but produce thicker stems with consistent water. Reduce watering slightly in win

Companion plants: Carrot, Celery, Onion, Strawberry, Beetroot

Avoid planting near: Beans, Peas

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Leek

Recommended Varieties

  • Musselburgh
  • London Flag
  • Autumn Giant
  • King Richard

Key Challenges

  • Slow growth in winter (but leeks tolerate this)
  • Slugs in wet conditions
  • White rot in some soils

Pro Tips

  • Melbourne is excellent leek country. They love cool, moist conditions
  • Sow Musselburgh in February-March for winter-spring harvest
  • Leeks handle frost well. The cold actually improves flavour

Harvesting Leek

When ready: Stems are at least 2cm diameter (pencil-thick minimum, but 3-5cm is better). Can be harvested at any size from baby leeks (1cm diameter, 10 weeks) to full-size (5cm+, 5-6 months). No rush. Leeks hold well in the ground.

How to harvest: Loosen soil alongside the leek with a garden fork, then lever out. Do not pull straight up. The stem may snap. Trim roots and damaged outer leaves. Wash thoroughly between sheaths (soil and insects hide in the layers).

Where to next

What leek costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

The pest most likely to find your leek: Downy Mildew.

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Common Questions About Leek

When do you plant leek in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does leek grow all year round in Melbourne?

No. In the Cool Temperate zone the planting months are Jan to Mar, Jul to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.