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When to Plant Leeks in Richland County, WI

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.

Richland County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 153 days.

At an elevation of 1,098 feet, Richland County receives approximately 38.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Leeks during the growing season.

Richland County, WI (Zone 4b) Moderate season
153 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
153 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Richland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 9 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 20 – Oct 15

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 ~1,650 GDD — county provides 2,103 GDD Good fit

Leeks Planting Timeline โ€” Richland County, WI

Leeks Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 19
Direct Sow April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 19
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Jul 27
Harvest August 4 Aug 4 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
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing
August 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 4b

Growing Season

153 days

Growing Tips for Richland 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 Richland County, WI?

Richland County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Richland County, WI?

Richland County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Richland County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Richland County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.