Tareh (Persian Leek)

Our seeds and description come from Sasha Moghadam of Saena Seed Project in San Juan Island WA.

"This is true Persian leek seed, known as ‘Tareh,’ in Iran. Tareh is in the onion family and is used in similar fashion as a green onion or chive (for the tops, rather than the shank or bulb.) Tareh has an oniony/garlicy taste is harvested when young and tender. It is eaten as fresh sabzi (herbs) or as a a staple ingredient cooked in to many Persian dishes. My father brought this seed to America from Iran when he immigrated in the late 80’s. These seeds are at the heart of my farm. Heres a little insight into why:

‘’I grew up pretty distant from my Iranian heritage and culture. I never really felt at home in myself, and I didn’t have a strong sense of who I was, partly because I didn’t know where I had come from. I only knew half of my story. Our father was in and out of my life, and I was just getting to know him a little more in the years leading up to his death in 2019. Right before he passed, he gave me one of the most beautiful and humble gifts I have ever received. He sent me a box of seed: Garlic, Persian Leek, and hollyhock from Iran that he’d been growing in his Colorado garden for 25 years. This seed was special. And they were a point of entry into our culture and heritage for me. Today, they’re a connection not only to my father, but to those who tended the seeds before him. They held the stories untold, and through them I had a point of connection – not only to resurrect the culture that I had been disconnected from, but to connect me to a community that I had never been a part of. And, they connect me to him.”

Photos from Sasha Moghadam. Third photo: "My father Jamshid Moghadam 1998, watering his garden, Glenwood Springs CO."

Days to maturity: 80-90 days

Seeds per pack: 100-115

Germination rate: 96% on 02/22/2024

Planting / harvesting notes

Direct seed: In spring, sow 1/4" deep as soon as the soil warms up. Place 4-6 seeds every 6" or 1-2 seeds per inch. Thin to 2-3 plants every 2-8". Keep free of weeds.

Transplant: Start seeds in flats or trays 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Sow several seeds per plug, thinning to 3-4 seedlings per plug. Transplant seedling clusters 4-8" apart in rows 12-18” apart.

Seed keeping notes

Persian leek is a biannual and will go to seed in its second year of growth. After flower, once seed heads have turned from pink to tan/brown, and are firm, seed is ready to harvest. In my short Northwest growing season I cut the seed heads off a few inches below the neck of the stem and finish drying indoors for a few weeks. After a few weeks of inside drying, I thresh and clean the seed before storing them in a dark, cool, dry place.