When to plant leek in New Orleans
Leek is cold-hardy, so every date keys off New Orleans's frost dates of Feb 8.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Nov 30 – Dec 21
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Jan 25 – Feb 15
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 5 – May 25
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
100 – 120 d
New Orleans's 304-day season leaves this much room.
Leek on New Orleans's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
FEB 8
DEC 9
Common questions
When will leek be ready to harvest in New Orleans?
Expect to harvest from around early May (May 5–May 25) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 73%.
When should I start leek seeds indoors in New Orleans?
Start seeds indoors around late November (Nov 30–Dec 21) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When can I transplant leek outdoors in New Orleans?
Transplant outdoors around late January (Jan 25–Feb 15) in New Orleans, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 81%.
How long is the growing season in New Orleans?
New Orleans has roughly 304 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow leek to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow leek as soon as the soil is workable — it tolerates cool weather and light frost. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and New Orleans's frost dates.
Confidence 81/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.