Carentan

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Planting Schedule

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Sweet, mellow Carentan leeks unfurl with a tender, buttery bite and a clean, grassy-sweet aroma that feels instantly refined.

At maturity, the long, cylindrical stalks form a tightly layered, deep-green outer jacket over a pale, creamy-to-warm ivory center, with a crisp yet yielding texture that holds its character beautifully. Grow Carentan for comforting soups and braises, as well as elegant fresh slices and savory gratins—ideal when you want flavor that’s gentle, not sharp.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 120 DaysHabit: Upright

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Carentan Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 3b	Mar 24th	May 12th	Sep 9th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Mar 20th	May 8th	Sep 5th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Mar 18th	May 6th	Sep 3rd – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Mar 13th	May 1st	Aug 29th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Mar 9th	Apr 27th	Aug 25th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Mar 6th	Apr 24th	Aug 22nd – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Feb 28th	Apr 18th	Aug 16th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Feb 23rd	Apr 13th	Aug 11th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Feb 13th	Apr 3rd	Aug 1st – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Feb 4th	Mar 25th	Jul 23rd – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Jan 26th	Mar 16th	Jul 14th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Jan 9th	Feb 27th	Jun 27th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Dec 15th	Feb 2nd	Jun 2nd – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Jan 29th – Feb 28th

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)	35
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Carentan leeks bring a cultivated sweetness and a tender, layered bite that doesn’t turn mushy—perfect for soups and gratins where you want each strand to read as leek, not puree. The clean, grassy aroma makes them feel refined even in comfort-food form, especially when finished with butter and a bright squeeze of lemon.

Best Uses

slow-simmered leek soups that turn silky without getting stringy
braises where the layers soften and sweeten into a spoonable side
thin fresh slices dressed in lemony vinaigrette (for snap-to-tender balance)
gratin duty—layered with cream so the leek stays fragrant and structured

Flavor Profile

sweet, mellow allium bite buttery-tender texture with a clean grassy-sweet aroma silky interior that stays cohesive when cooked gentle savoriness—no harsh edge

Kitchen Pairings

butter heavy cream lemon thyme gruyère chicken stock

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects leeks (Allium porrum), and how do I manage it?

Leeks are commonly hit by leek rust (Puccinia porri) and sometimes leek moth/caterpillars. For rust, remove infected leaves and improve airflow by spacing plants; avoid overhead watering and use a copper-based fungicide if disease is spreading early. For leek moth, inspect leaves for tunnels and frass and apply a row cover immediately after planting to prevent egg-laying, then remove damaged tissue.

How often should I water leeks during the main growing phase (around weeks 6–16)?

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—aim for even moisture during the rapid leaf and thickening growth. Water when the top 1 inch of soil begins to dry, typically about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and mulch, and ensure water reaches down around the base for good white-stem development.

How can I tell when my leeks (Allium porrum) are ready to harvest?

Harvest at about 120 days when the plants have a firm, thick white-to-light-green stem and the leaves are still relatively upright rather than collapsing. Use a gentle twist-and-lift to test firmness; if the lower stalk feels crisp and substantial, it’s ready. For the best flavor, harvest before severe frost when possible, but you can leave them in the ground for a period with protection in colder weather.