Allium porrum
AMERICAN FLAG is an heirloom variety growing up to 40cm high. They are large, with long white thick stems, and blue green leaves. Many leeks originated in the Mediterranean, spread through Europe, and then into North America by European settlers. Today France is the highest producer of leeks. American Flag is sweet with a mild onion flavour and commonly used in salad or soups, a favourite being cock-a-leekie soup. Very hardy and cold resistant they can be planted in early Autumn for a winter harvest or early spring to harvest in Summer.
Raise seedlings or sow direct in sandy loam with moderate watering to keep soil moist but not saturated. Does well in nitrogen rich composted soil or use a broad range fertiliser. Build up soil around the base to blanch the stalk to increase length of whiteness. This can cause dirt to appear in amongst the leaves so they require good rinsing in water before cooking. If raising seedlings plant out when 20cm high.