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When to Plant Leeks in Howard County, AR

Leeks are a mild, sweet allium that produces long white shanks. They are more refined than onions and are a key ingredient in soups, stews, and gratins.

Howard County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 217 days.

At an elevation of 537 feet, Howard County receives approximately 50.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Leeks during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Leeks root diseases.

Howard County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
217 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
217 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Howard County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Sep 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Sep 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Oct 1

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 36 gal / 100 sq ft
Leeks needs ~1,920 GDD — county provides 3,472 GDD Excellent fit

Leeks Planting Timeline โ€” Howard County, AR

Leeks Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14
Direct Sow March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Apr 7
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8
Harvest June 30 Jun 30 โ€“ Sep 15

Plant 1" deep ยท 15" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“150 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7b

Growing Season

217 days

Growing Tips for Howard County

Start seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Transplant into trenches and hill soil around stems as they grow to increase the white portion. Harvest as needed.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Peas
  • Green Beans

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Leeks in Howard County, AR?

Howard County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Howard County, AR?

Howard County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Howard County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Howard County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.