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Allium ampeloprasum var Babingtonii
  • Hardy to Zone 6b
  • Full Sun to Partial Shade
  • Germination Tested Not tested
  • 5-50 bulbils per packet
Regular price $9.00 CAD
Regular price Sale price $9.00 CAD
Sale Sold out
Select the number of bulbils

We may restock a small amount of these in spring 2025, the main restock will be Fall 2025.

Babington's Leek are a tasty and easy to grow perennial vegetable providing slender leeks with a hint of garlicky flavour. They are an excellent cut-and-come-again veggie for a semi-wild food forest edge, or as a companion plant between other vegetables. Harvest the leeks by cutting them off at the soil line in spring to early summer and baby leeks will resprout from the base. Note that these leeks will go dormant in the summer and appear to be dead, but they will resprout when the fall rains return. 

The scapes can be eaten before they open and form bulbils as well, but the bulbils are so whimsical when they bloom, it's worth leaving a few! The bulbils can be replanted or even pickled. Sometimes the bulbils will not form until the second year. They are kind of like the leek version of Egyptian Walking Onions!

These bulbils are quite a bit smaller than Egyptian Onions, but each bulb will grow into a full-sized leek. Plants can be propagated either by bulbils, or by the underground bulbs, which multiply into several offsets per plant. These offsets can be dug up when dormant and spaced out/planted elsewhere.

Bulbils can be planted anytime from fall to early spring, either direct sown or planted in pots and carefully transplanted. Sow about 1/2 inch deep, 3-6 inches apart. These leeks tolerate a range of soil conditions.

Babington's Leeks are probably native to the British Isles and are quite rare in North America. They should be hardy to zone 6b. They have survived in our garden down to -15C no problem.

Growing Instructions

Bulbils are best planted in the fall before the soil is consistently frozen. If you live in a mild area, you may be able to plant almost throughout the winter. If you live in a very cold climate, you can try waiting until spring, and keep the bulbils in a dark, dry place with good airflow. Keep an eye on them, and if they start to go bad or sprout a lot, try planting them in a pot inside, and transplant them outside in spring. Some people say to keep the bulbils in the fridge, so do your own research on what you feel is best. I've had bulbils last at room temperature for a year just fine, but your conditions may be different than mine.

Bulbils can be planted about 2-3 inches apart or farther if you've got the room. They will multiply from the base over time, as well as by fallen bulbils, but they don't mind being crowded. Smaller bulbs can be planted closer together and larger ones given more space.

It can be tricky to know which way is up for Babington’s Leek bulbils. The root end (bottom) will usually be more slender, with a tiny flattened spot or hole from where it broke off the mother plant that is tan brown in colour. The growing end (top) is usually more rounded, but comes to a point. See the last variety photo for examples. If you’re unsure which way is up, plant the bulbils on their side and they will figure it out!

The bulbils will send out roots and little green leaves that look like green onions. The base will swell a little into a slender bulb, and the leaves will get taller. In the summer they will grow stronger stalks that grow bulbils on the ends. If left alone, the stalks with bulbils will fall over and likely sprout if the soil is moist- or you can cut the bulbils off once their stalk starts to die back and plant them elsewhere.

Shipping & Returns

We ship seeds via Canada Post within Canada for $6 to $8 depending on weight, United States for $20, and Internationally for $20*. Live plants, bulbs, and bulbils can only be shipped within Canada.

 

Shipping in Canada 

We ship seeds in Canada via regular letter mail, which is an untracked service, and usually takes 1-3 weeks to arrive once we fulfill your order, but occasionally orders take longer, especially to Ontario and East.

Customers can now opt for tracked, express shipping options at checkout if you require faster delivery.

Larger bulbs and plants are sent via tracked flat rate box.

 

Shipping to the US

We now require all US shoppers to obtain a Small Lot Seed Permit before we can mail your seeds. It's free to apply and you will likely be granted the permit instantly. We appreciate if you can email us your permit as soon as you can after your purchase.

How to apply for your Small Seed Lot Import Permit:

  1. Go to https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/
  2. Select PPQ-587 in the dropdown menu and click "Get Started".
  3. Login and follow the instructions to obtain a permit. It's best to list "Eligible Taxa" instead of listing all the species you'd like to import so you don't need to worry about missing any species you ordered.
  4. Once you receive your permit, promptly email us 2 documents: a copy of your permit and a copy of the yellow/green shipping labels. Tell us if which USDA station you want us to send the seeds to. If not mentioned we will choose one. Our email is grow@cicadaseeds.ca
  5. We are not able to send any pepper or tomato seeds, or any live plant materials to the US due to restrictions.

After receiving your documentation, we will mail your seeds to the inspection facility. We will ship via tracked parcel, and you will receive the tracking number when your order has shipped. Orders will be mailed first to a plant inspection facility in the US, then they forward the package on to your address after inspection. This can take several weeks, depending on how long the inspection takes. Unfortunately we are not able to replace packages that are confiscated or destroyed by customs, or for any duties or tariffs placed on your order. 

 

Shipping Internationally

International customers can select tracked or untracked shipping at checkout. The package will list the contents as "Garden Seeds". It is your responsibility to ensure you have the required import permit. We are not able to send any live plant materials internationally. Cicada Seeds will not be responsible for any orders held or confiscated by customs, or for any additional duties or tariffs placed on your order.

International shipping countries include: Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.

This list may change without notice. Sometimes Canada Post will not allow us to ship to certain countries due to wars or natural disasters, see this page for delivery service alerts: https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/our-company/news-and-media/service-alerts.page

Please reach out if your country is not on this list, email us and we will try to arrange an alternate shipping option. 

 

If you have any issues with your order, please contact us within 60 days and we will do our best to make it right.

*Shipping fees listed here are in Canadian dollars. 

Ecologically Grown

Seeds are grown ecologically without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

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Customer Reviews

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A
Andrea Clyker

Great packaging and seeds delivered in a timely manner.

J
Joachim Wenk

I got your package yesterday! The babbington bulbills are rather big! I put them in earth immediately. And i‘m looking forward to the others, watch them growing and eat them. My foodforestgarden is the perfekt place for these. I‘m so happy about the seeds. Thank you so much. Achim Wenk