Short answer: sow 30 to 40 g of leek seed on a 10 × 20 inch tray of moist soil. Press it in, cover it with a lightly weighted tray, and keep it dark and damp for about a week. Uncover, give bright light, and water from below. Cut at 14 to 21 days and remove clinging seed hulls.
What are leek microgreens?
Leek (Allium ampeloprasum) is a mild member of the onion family. Its microgreens are thin, grass-like shoots with a sweet onion flavour. Sprouting.com gives leek 14 to 21 days.1
How to grow leek microgreens
- Day0
Sow
Spread 30 to 40 g of seed evenly over moist soil. Press it in.
- Day0–7
Weighted blackout
Cover with a tray and a light weight. Mist daily. The weight helps shed the seed hulls.
- Day7
Light
Uncover once the shoots stand up. Give bright light.
- Day7–20
Water from below
Keep the soil evenly moist.
- Day14–21
Harvest
Mist, brush off hulls, and cut above the soil.
Problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Black hulls on tips | Normal for alliums | Weight during blackout, mist and pick off |
| Slow, patchy start | Seed dried out | Keep damp for the first week |
| Shoots fall over | Low light | Brighter light |
Tips for growing leek microgreens
- Sow 30 to 40 g per 10 × 20 inch tray. Alliums need a thick sowing.
- Use a weighted blackout for about a week. It helps shed the black seed hulls.
- Keep the soil damp the whole time. Leek is slow and dries out easily during the long start.
- Give bright light after uncovering so the shoots stand up straight.
Leek vs onion microgreens
Leek microgreens are milder and a little sweeter than onion microgreens. Both look like fine green grass. Leek is a good choice when you want a gentle onion flavour, like chives.
How to use leek microgreens
- Soups: on potato-leek or vichyssoise soup.
- Eggs: on omelettes, quiche and deviled eggs.
- Potatoes: with sour cream on baked potatoes.
- Fish: on salmon or white fish with butter.
- Herb mix: with chervil and parsley for a French-style blend.
Storing and eating
Use within 5 to 7 days. Snip leek microgreens over soups, eggs, potatoes and fish, like chives.
Leek FAQ
How long do leek microgreens take?
About 14 to 21 days. Alliums like leek, onion and chives are among the slowest microgreens.
How do I get the black seed hulls off?
Mist the tray before harvest to soften the hulls, then brush them off or pick them out. A light weight during blackout also helps.
What do leek microgreens taste like?
Mild and sweet, like a gentle onion or chive.
Can I use leek microgreens instead of chives?
Yes. Their mild onion flavour and fine, grass-like shoots make them a good stand-in for chives on eggs, potatoes and soups.
Written by Michael
A passionate sprouting professional sharing practical tips for growing sprouts and microgreens at home. More about Michael
Sources
- Sprouting.com (Mumm's Sprouting Seeds). Product pages: days to sprout, soak time and yield for each seed. Link
