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When to Plant Leeks in Lorain County, OH

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.

Lorain County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 961 feet, Lorain County receives approximately 39.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Leeks during the growing season.

Lorain County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Lorain County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Oct 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Oct 14
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 11 Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 31

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 33 gal / 100 sq ft
Leeks needs ~1,830 GDD — county provides 2,592 GDD Excellent fit

Leeks Planting Timeline โ€” Lorain County, OH

Leeks Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ May 6
Fall Sowing August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Aug 21
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Oct 14

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 5b

Growing Season

170 days

Growing Tips for Lorain 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 Lorain County, OH?

Lorain County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lorain County, OH?

Lorain County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lorain County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Lorain County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.