Bandit

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Sweet, mellow, and deeply savory—Bandit leeks develop a tender, creamy bite with a clean, garden-fresh aroma.

At maturity (about 120 days), the shafts form sturdy, well-filled stalks with a smooth, fine texture that stays pleasantly crisp from base to pale green. Grow Bandit for elegant, reliable performance in beds and containers, and enjoy its versatility in fresh preparations, savory sautés, and comforting soups and stews.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Feb 14th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 18th
Harvest Begins	Aug 16th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	120
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	30
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Bandit leeks are built for cooking down into something luxuriously smooth without turning onion-pungent—sweat them until creamy and they practically melt into soups, purées, and gratins. Their clean crispness also makes them feel expensive when used shaved raw or briefly sautéed, especially with butter, thyme, and gruyère.

Best Uses

low-sweat then butter-baste for silky sautéed leeks
potage and purées where it stays smooth from white through green
braises and gratins that need structure without bitterness
shaved raw or lightly dressed for a crisp, garden-fresh crunch

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow allium aroma deep savory (not sharp) finish tender, creamy bite with a clean crisp snap

Kitchen Pairings

butter thyme black pepper gruyère chicken stock smoked salmon

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Bandit plants developing leaf spots or damping-off, and how can I stop it?

Bandit (a 120-day crop started warm) is prone to fungal leaf spots and early damping-off when soil stays wet and foliage doesn’t dry quickly. Water at the base, avoid wetting leaves, and remove the worst affected leaves; if damping-off appears in seedlings, thin to healthy plants and let the soil surface dry slightly between waterings. If spots spread, use a labeled garden fungicide and improve airflow with proper spacing in full sun.

How often should I water Bandit during the main growing phase (after it’s established)?

During active growth, keep the top 1–2 in of soil consistently moist but not soggy—typically about 1 inch of water per week, adjusted for heat and container size. Water deeply in the morning and wait until the surface just begins to dry before watering again to prevent root problems and fungal disease.

How do I tell when my Bandit is ready to harvest after 120 days?

Harvest when the fruit/produce reaches the variety’s mature size and has firm, fully colored skin (no green cast) and gives slightly under gentle pressure. In a 120-day crop, start checking around day 115, then harvest over a few days as items reach full color and firmness to avoid over-maturity and cracking.