Blog

When to Plant Leeks in Fannin County, TX

Fannin County, Texas Zone 8a May

May in Fannin County, Texas — your action list

Each item below is timed to Fannin County, Texas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 16
Avg. first frost November 15
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.7 hrs
June will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: leeks

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Fannin County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 244 days.

At an elevation of 282 feet, Fannin County receives approximately 63.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Leeks during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Leeks root diseases.

Fannin County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
244 days
Last Spring Frost March 16
244 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Fannin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Aug 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 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 Fannin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.8) is more alkaline than Leeks prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). 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.

Plant Water Budget

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

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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.5" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 3.5" 6.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 3.5" 8.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3.5" 11.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3.5" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3.5" 7.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3.5" 6.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3.5" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 3.5" 2.1" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Fannin 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 ~1,920 GDD — county provides 3,904 GDD Excellent fit

Leeks Planting Timeline — Fannin County, TX

Leeks Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 9 Feb 9 – Feb 23
Transplant Outdoors March 16 Mar 16 – Mar 30
Direct Sow March 2 Mar 2 – Mar 23
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 – Aug 31
Fall Sowing September 6 Sep 6 – Sep 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
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: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

244 days in Fannin County

Growing Tips for Leeks in Fannin County

Direct sow Leeks outdoors after March 16 in Fannin 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 Fannin County, TX?

Fannin County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 16. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fannin County, TX?

Fannin County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 16 and first fall frost is November 15.

🌱

Your Fannin County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Fannin 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.

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 Fannin County, TX. 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.