When to Plant Leeks in Barron County, WI
Your May game plan for Barron County, Wisconsin
May is a pivotal month for Barron County, Wisconsin gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Set out leeks seedlings
Plant tomatoes deep — bury the stem up to the first true leaves to grow extra roots. Everything else goes in at the same depth it grew in the tray.
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Seed leeks outdoors
Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.
A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
- Starting indoors: leeks
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.
Barron County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 131 days.
At an elevation of 1,256 feet, Barron County receives approximately 40.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Leeks to ensure they mature before fall.
Barron County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.8-7
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Barron County
How your county's soil matches Leeks's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.8–7.0) overlaps with Leeks's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Barron County is excellent for Leeks — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is excellent (4.9%) — Leeks will thrive.
How to Plant Leeks
Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
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 | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 4.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.5" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 3.5" | 5.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 3.5" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 3.5" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 3.5" | 3.3" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Barron 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 Planting Timeline — Barron County, WI
Leeks Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 17 | May 17 – May 31 |
| Direct Sow | May 10 | May 10 – May 31 |
| Harvest | August 16 | Aug 16 – Oct 11 |
| Fall Sowing | July 3 | Jul 3 – Jul 17 |
Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | 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 4b
📆 Growing Season
131 days in Barron County
Growing Tips for Leeks in Barron County
Direct sow Leeks outdoors after May 17 in Barron County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 131.0-day growing season in Barron County is tight for Leeks (90.0-150.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Leeks in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Leeks in Barron County, WI?
Barron County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 17. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Barron County, WI?
Barron County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 17 and first fall frost is September 25.
Your Barron County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Barron County (Zone 4b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.