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When to plant Leeks in Clinton County County,

The best window to plant Leeks in Clinton County County, is April 4–April 25, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits April 18; first frost October 21. A second sowing from August 12 to August 26 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Leeks in Clinton County, KY

Leeks
Clinton County, Kentucky Zone 7a June

Top priorities for Clinton County, Kentucky gardeners in June

Here's what deserves your attention in Clinton County, Kentucky this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 18
Avg. first frost October 21
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
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.

Clinton County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 2,895 feet, Clinton County receives approximately 44 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Leeks during the growing season.

Clinton County, KY (Zone 7a) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Clinton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Leeks Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (22 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Oct 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 4 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 24

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 Clinton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–7.1) overlaps with Leeks's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). 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
1.0″/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 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.5" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.5" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 4.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.5" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.5" 2.6" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Clinton 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 ~1,740 GDD — county provides 2,697 GDD Excellent fit

Leeks Planting Timeline — Clinton County, KY

Leeks Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 – Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 – Apr 25
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 – Oct 3
Fall Sowing August 12 Aug 12 – Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

186 days in Clinton County

Growing Tips for Leeks in Clinton County

Direct sow Leeks outdoors after April 18 in Clinton 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 Clinton County, KY?

Clinton County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clinton County, KY?

Clinton County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 21.

When should I plant Leeks in Clinton County, ?

In Clinton County, , plant Leeks after the last frost (around April 18) and before the first frost (around October 21). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Clinton County, for Leeks?

Clinton County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Leeks grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Leeks grow in Clinton County's climate?

Yes — Leeks grows well in Clinton County's temperate climate. Clinton County averages a 186-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 18 and first frost around October 21.

🌱

Your Clinton County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Clinton County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.