What sunlight conditions do leeks require?
Written by
Olivia Mitchell
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.While cultivating leeks in my garden in Arizona, I learned that sunlight balance is crucial to maintain. After six hours of direct sun on the leeks, the stems will be very strong generally. Shade in the afternoon will limit leaf burn. Leeks stretched thin in shade, but they've crisped underneath a scorching sun. Finding a balance in the sunlight over the day has tripled my yields.
Northern Climates (Zones 3-6)
- Full sun (8+ hours) maximizes growth before frost
- South-facing beds absorb maximum daylight
- Rotate plants weekly for even exposure
Southern Climates (Zones 7-11)
- Morning sun with 40% shade cloth after noon
- Avoid west-facing walls that radiate heat
- Use reflective mulch to bounce excess light
Coastal Areas
- 6 hours sun + 2 hours coastal fog ideal
- Protect from salt-spray with windbreaks
- East-facing slopes prevent afternoon dehydration
People who are container gardeners can control light with relative ease. For example, I typically use 12-inch pots, so I can follow the sun or retreat to shade. I also sprinkle a 30% reflective mulch within the pots to catch morning rays but drift the incoming rays as they become more intense mid-day. With heavy sun-stressed leeks, fertilizing weekly is important as they take in a lot of nutrients through the roots to rebuild cell walls.
Drip irrigation is an option to avert scalding in a heatwave. It's best to irrigate at dawn so the soil can absorb moisture before the sun starts to beat down on it. I have used buried clay ollas in desert conditions where the ollas release water when temperatures rise, which cools the roots but doesn't wet the foliage which may induce sunlight burns.
Read the full article: How to Grow Leeks: Beginner's Guide to Sweet Harvests
