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When to Plant Leeks in Floyd County, KY

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.

Floyd County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 2,218 feet, Floyd County receives approximately 52 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Leeks during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Leeks root diseases.

Floyd County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Floyd County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (15 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Oct 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Oct 26

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Leeks needs ~2,010 GDD — county provides 3,065 GDD Excellent fit

Leeks Planting Timeline โ€” Floyd County, KY

Leeks Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 5
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 28
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 โ€“ Aug 26
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Oct 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

183 days

Growing Tips for Floyd 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 Floyd County, KY?

Floyd County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Floyd County, KY?

Floyd County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 21.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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