When to Plant Leeks in Natrona County, WY
May in the garden — Natrona County, Wyoming
May is a pivotal month for Natrona County, Wyoming gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Transplant leeks outside
Your last frost (May 19) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.
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Plant leeks from seed, right in the garden
Keep the top inch of soil moist until germination — a gentle morning watering for 5–7 days does the job.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- 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.
Natrona County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is September 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 127 days.
At an elevation of 6,332 feet, Natrona County receives approximately 13.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83°F, so choose short-season varieties of Leeks to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Leeks successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.
Natrona County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.6
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 Natrona County
How your county's soil matches Leeks's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.6) is more alkaline than Leeks prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Natrona County is excellent for Leeks — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.4%). Annual compost additions will help Leeks.
How to Plant Leeks
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 3.5" | 1.8" | 1.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 3.5" | 1.1" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 3.5" | 1.1" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Aug | 3.5" | 1.5" | 2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Sep | 3.5" | 1.1" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Natrona 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 — Natrona County, WY
Leeks Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 14 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 19 | May 19 – Jun 2 |
| Direct Sow | May 5 | May 5 – May 26 |
| Harvest | August 18 | Aug 18 – Nov 3 |
| Fall Sowing | July 15 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
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 | Transplant Outdoors |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| November | Harvest |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.8"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
90–150 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
127 days in Natrona County
Growing Tips for Leeks in Natrona County
Direct sow Leeks outdoors after May 19 in Natrona County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Your 127.0-day growing season in Natrona 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 Natrona County, WY?
Natrona County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Leeks planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Natrona County, WY?
Natrona County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is September 23.
Your Natrona County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Natrona County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.