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When to plant Leeks in Phillips County, AR

The best window to plant Leeks in Phillips County, is February 28–March 21, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits March 14; first frost November 12. A second sowing from September 3 to September 17 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Leeks in Phillips County, AR

Leeks
Phillips County, Arkansas Zone 8a June

Your June game plan for Phillips County, Arkansas

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 14
Avg. first frost November 12
Soil temp (4") 78°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Basket week: leeks

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

Looking ahead to July
  • First harvests: leeks

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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.

Phillips County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 678 feet, Phillips County receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Leeks during the growing season.

Phillips County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Phillips County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Leeks Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 22

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.

Soil Compatibility in Phillips County

How your county's soil matches Leeks's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6–6.7) overlaps with Leeks's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Phillips County is excellent for Leeks — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Leeks.

How to Plant Leeks

1"
Planting Depth
15"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Leeks Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Monthly Watering Guide for Leeks

Leeks needs approximately 0.8 inches of water per week (3.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Leeks Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.5" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.5" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.5" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.5" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.5" 3.2" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.5" 2.9" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.5" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Phillips County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Leeks Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Leeks needs ~2,370 GDD — county provides 4,799 GDD Excellent fit

Leeks Planting Timeline — Phillips County, AR

Leeks Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 7 Feb 7 – Feb 21
Transplant Outdoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Direct Sow February 28 Feb 28 – Mar 21
Harvest June 13 Jun 13 – Aug 29
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 – Sep 17

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Fall Sowing
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.8"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–150 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

243 days in Phillips County

Growing Tips for Leeks in Phillips County

Direct sow Leeks outdoors after March 14 in Phillips County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Leeks in this region include onion maggots and thrips. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Leeks in Phillips County, AR?

Phillips County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Phillips County, AR?

Phillips County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 12.

When should I plant Leeks in Phillips County, AR?

In Phillips County, AR, plant Leeks after the last frost (around March 14) and before the first frost (around November 12). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Phillips County, AR for Leeks?

Phillips County sits in USDA Zone 8a. Leeks grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Leeks grow in Phillips County's climate?

Yes — Leeks grows well in Phillips County's temperate climate. Phillips County averages a 243-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 14 and first frost around November 12.

🌱

Your Phillips County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Phillips County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Phillips County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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