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When to Plant Leeks in Ohio 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.

Ohio County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 203 days.

At an elevation of 1,511 feet, Ohio County receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Leeks during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Leeks root diseases.

Ohio County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
203 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
203 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Ohio County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 28 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Sep 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Oct 7

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Leeks needs ~2,190 GDD — county provides 3,704 GDD Excellent fit

Leeks Planting Timeline โ€” Ohio County, KY

Leeks Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 22
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 15
Fall Sowing August 19 Aug 19 โ€“ Sep 2
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Sep 23

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 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 6b

Growing Season

203 days

Growing Tips for Ohio 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 Ohio County, KY?

Ohio County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ohio County, KY?

Ohio County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Ohio 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 Ohio County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.