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When to Plant Leeks in Fulton County, OH

Fulton County, Ohio Zone 6a May

Top priorities for Fulton County, Ohio gardeners in May

Your garden in Fulton County, Ohio is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost April 29
Avg. first frost October 15
Soil temp (4") 58°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.3 hrs
Looking ahead to June
  • Starting indoors: 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.

Fulton County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.

At an elevation of 1,045 feet, Fulton County receives approximately 34.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Leeks during the growing season.

Fulton County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
169 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
169 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Fulton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.9

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 (1 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Oct 14
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 12 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Nov 1

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 Fulton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.9) overlaps with Leeks's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Leeks.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.1%) — Leeks will thrive.

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.8″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 339 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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 3" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
May 3.5" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.5" 4.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.5" 3.4" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 3.5" 2.6" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Fulton 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 ~1,830 GDD — county provides 2,577 GDD Excellent fit

Leeks Planting Timeline — Fulton County, OH

Leeks Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 25 Mar 25 – Apr 8
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 – May 13
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 – May 6
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 – Oct 14
Fall Sowing August 6 Aug 6 – Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

90–150 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

169 days in Fulton County

Growing Tips for Leeks in Fulton County

Direct sow Leeks outdoors after April 29 in Fulton 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 Fulton County, OH?

Fulton County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fulton County, OH?

Fulton County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 15.

🌱

Your Fulton County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Fulton County (Zone 6a). 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 Fulton County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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