Leeks belong to the onion family and are closely related to chives, garlic, onion, and shallots. A problem with the crop is that it takes 21 to 30 weeks to reach maturity from transplanting and plants also spend 8 to 16 weeks in the nursery or seedbed before transplanting. This fact sheet provides an overview of leeks – climate requirements, soils, nursery planting, field planting, varieties, fertilisers, irrigation, pests and diseases, weed control, harvesting and storage, and exports.