Blog

When to Plant Leeks in Stutsman County, ND

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.

Stutsman County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 907 feet, Stutsman County receives approximately 28.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Leeks to ensure they mature before fall.

Stutsman County, ND (Zone 4a) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
144 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Stutsman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 25
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 7 Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 18 – Oct 13

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 730 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Leeks needs ~1,290 GDD — county provides 1,548 GDD Good fit

Leeks Planting Timeline โ€” Stutsman County, ND

Leeks Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 23
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Fall Sowing July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Jul 22
Harvest August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Oct 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing
August 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 4a

Growing Season

144 days

Growing Tips for Stutsman 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 Stutsman County, ND?

Stutsman County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stutsman County, ND?

Stutsman County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Stutsman County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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