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When to Plant Leeks in Marion County, KS

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.

Marion County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 898 feet, Marion County receives approximately 26.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Leeks during the growing season.

Marion County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Marion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Oct 11

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 731 gal / 100 sq ft
Leeks needs ~2,100 GDD — county provides 3,377 GDD Excellent fit

Leeks Planting Timeline โ€” Marion County, KS

Leeks Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Direct Sow March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 21
Fall Sowing August 15 Aug 15 โ€“ Aug 29
Harvest July 14 Jul 14 โ€“ Sep 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September 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 6a

Growing Season

193 days

Growing Tips for Marion 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Leeks in Marion County, KS?

Marion County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marion County, KS?

Marion County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Marion County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Marion County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.