When to plant leek in zone 8b — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 8B

Growing SeasonZone 8b

Last frost ~Mar 15First frost ~Nov 15Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

DECJANFEBMARAPRMAYJUNJULAUG

Start indoors Dec 21 · Transplant Mar 1 · First harvest Jun 9 · Wrap by Aug 4

Last spring frostMar 15

Start seeds indoorsDec 21

Transplant outMar 1

First harvestJun 9

Last harvestAug 4

First fall frostNov 15

Why these dates work in zone 8b

Zone 8b's last spring frost averages Mar 15 and first fall frost Nov 15 — about 245 frost-free days. Leek tolerates light frost, so you can set plants out ahead of the last-frost date and keep harvesting into the cooler fall. Starting seeds indoors 12 weeks ahead gives strong transplants ready the moment the soil warms.

Common questions

How long does leek take to grow in zone 8b?

Leek matures in about 100–120 days from transplanting. In zone 8b that means setting plants out around Mar 1 and first picking around Jun 9.

Will leek survive frost in zone 8b?

Yes — leek tolerates light frost. In zone 8b you can set plants out a little before the last frost (around Mar 15) and keep harvesting past the first fall frost (around Nov 15).

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full leek growing guide →