Leek 'Carentan 2'

'Carentan 2' is an old and reliable French heirloom variety that has been a favorite in British gardens for generations. It is prized for its very thick, short stems and its exceptional winter hardiness. The foliage is a distinctive bluish-green and spreads widely. This variety is particularly productive, yielding heavy leeks that have a mild, delicate flavor and a tender texture when cooked. It is a 'second early' to 'mid-season' variety, usually harvested from October through to January. Leeks are typically started in a seedbed or modules in early spring and then 'dropped' into deep holes to blanch the stems, creating the desired long white section. They are very hungry plants and benefit from soil that has been well-manured for a previous crop. 'Carentan 2' is excellent for soups, gratins, or simply sautéed in butter. It rarely bolts and stands well in the ground during the wet UK winters.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Deep, fertile, well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H5 — down to −15°C.

Flowering: Jul, Aug.