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When to Plant Leeks in Champaign 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.

Champaign County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 175 days.

At an elevation of 980 feet, Champaign County receives approximately 37.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Leeks during the growing season.

Champaign County, OH (Zone 5b) Moderate season
175 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
175 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Champaign County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Monthly Watering Guide for Leeks

Leeks needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Leeks Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 4.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Champaign County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Leeks Planting Timeline โ€” Champaign County, OH

Leeks Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 4
Transplant Outdoors April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 9
Direct Sow April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ May 2
Harvest July 25 Jul 25 โ€“ Oct 10
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Aug 22

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“150 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

175 days in Champaign County

Growing Tips for Champaign 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Leeks in Champaign County, OH?

Champaign County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Champaign County, OH?

Champaign County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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