Leeks Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum ‘Mammoth’.

Leek Bulgarian Giant (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum ‘Bulgarian Giant’) is a robust and impressive heirloom variety known for its tall, thick stems and cold tolerance. As the name suggests, it originates from Bulgaria, where it was traditionally grown for its ability to withstand harsh winters and still produce large, flavourful stems.

Like all leeks, it shares its ancestry with wild leeks native to the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East and has been cultivated for thousands of years. Leeks were favoured by ancient Egyptians and Romans and later by Celts and medieval herbalists. The leek’s reputation as a symbol of strength and healing carried through many cultures, and it remains an important culinary and cultural plant in Europe.

Medicinally, leeks were used for treating digestive issues, respiratory infections, inflammation, and even wounds. Their high fibre and antioxidant content, especially compounds like kaempferol, give them anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits, while they also supply vitamins A, C, and K, and essential minerals.

Bulgarian Giant is especially prized for its long, fat, white stems that can grow over 30 cm in length, with blue-green upright leaves forming a sturdy, frost-hardy plant up to 80 cm tall. It has a mild, sweet onion flavour and is well suited for winter cooking, including soups, braises, and roasts.

To grow it from seed:

Sow in late summer to early autumn in temperate regions or in late winter to spring in colder zones.

Start seeds in trays or directly into the garden by sowing 5 mm deep in well-drained soil. Keep soil moist until germination, which usually takes 10 to 14 days.

When seedlings reach 15 to 20 cm tall and are about the thickness of a pencil, transplant them into holes about 15 cm apart in rows 30 cm apart.

Water the seedlings in, allowing soil to fill in gradually—this helps produce long, blanched stems.

Leek Bulgarian Giant prefers full sun and rich, composted soil with consistent moisture.

Hill soil up gently around the base as it grows to increase the length of the white shaft.

Plants mature in 5 to 6 months and are cold-tolerant, making them perfect for year-round gardens and winter harvests across many parts of Australia. With its exceptional size, flavour, and hardiness, Bulgarian Giant is ideal for gardeners seeking a reliable and showy leek variety!