Giant Musselburgh
Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum 'Giant Musselburgh'
A legendary Scottish heirloom leek that produces enormous, thick white stems up to 3 inches in diameter and excellent cold hardiness. This impressive variety has been grown since the 1830s and remains a favorite for its mild, sweet flavor and ability to overwinter in harsh climates. Giant Musselburgh is the go-to choice for gardeners wanting impressive leeks for soups and braising.
Harvest
120-150d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
5–10
USDA hardiness
Height
3-4 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Giant Musselburgh in USDA Zone 7
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Giant Musselburgh · Zones 5–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | April – June | September – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | April – May | August – November |
| Zone 6 | — | — | April – May | August – November |
| Zone 7 | — | — | March – May | August – November |
| Zone 8 | — | — | March – April | July – December |
| Zone 9 | — | — | February – March | June – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | January – March | June – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches, 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Type: Capsule.
Bloom time: Spring
Edibility: The leaves and bulbs can be eaten raw or cooked in small quantities.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Giant Musselburgh leeks keep 2-3 weeks refrigerated when properly stored. Trim roots to 1 inch and remove damaged outer leaves, but leave the white and light green portions intact. Wrap in damp paper towels, then place in perforated plastic bags in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. Don't wash until ready to use, as excess moisture encourages decay.
For longer storage, slice cleaned leeks into rounds and freeze in single layers on baking sheets before transferring to freezer bags - they'll keep 8-10 months and work perfectly in soups and stews. Dehydrating thinly sliced leeks creates excellent seasoning flakes for year-round use. You can also ferment chopped leeks with salt to create a tangy condiment similar to sauerkraut, though this is less common. The thick stems of Giant Musselburgh hold their texture better than thin varieties when preserved, making them ideal for batch processing.
History & Origin
Origin: Macronesia, Mediterranean, Asia
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut, Deer, Rabbits, Voles
- +Edible: The leaves and bulbs can be eaten raw or cooked in small quantities.
Considerations
- -Toxic: Low severity
- -Causes contact dermatitis
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Carrots
Leeks repel carrot fly while carrots help break up soil for leek roots
Tomatoes
Leeks deter aphids and improve tomato flavor while tomatoes don't compete for nutrients
Brassicas (Cabbage, Broccoli)
Leeks repel cabbage worms and flea beetles that commonly attack brassicas
Celery
Both have similar growing requirements and leeks help repel celery leaf spot
Lettuce
Leeks provide natural pest control while lettuce uses different soil nutrients
Strawberries
Leeks deter slugs and aphids that damage strawberry plants
Spinach
Compatible root depths and leeks help repel leaf miners
Parsley
Both herbs complement each other and don't compete for growing space
Keep Apart
Beans
Legumes can inhibit allium growth and onion family plants may stunt bean development
Peas
Alliums can reduce nitrogen fixation in peas and compete for similar nutrients
Asparagus
Both are heavy feeders that compete for nutrients and have conflicting soil preferences
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #170000)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good cold tolerance and rust resistance
Common Pests
Leek moth, onion thrips, leaf miners
Diseases
White rot, rust, downy mildew