Rainline Garden

When to plant leeks in Bend and Redmond, OR

Start leeks from seed indoors Mar 3–17, then plant the young plants in the garden in Bend and Redmond May 12 – Jun 23.

Easy Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

Bend and Redmond's typical last spring frost is June 9. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop can go in about 4 weeks before that.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
6 inches apart
Planting depth
Set seedlings in a hole about 6 inches deep so the stems grow long and white
Frost
Handles light frost
First harvest
About 120 days after planting

Step by step

  1. Start seeds indoors Mar 3–17 in trays or small pots under a grow light or in your sunniest window. Or skip this step and buy young plants (starts) at a garden center.
  2. Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
  3. Plant them in the garden May 12 – Jun 23, 6 inches apart. Set seedlings in a hole about 6 inches deep so the stems grow long and white.
  4. Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
  5. Harvest: Dig whenever stems are an inch or more across. West of the Cascades you can leave them in the ground and harvest all winter.

Varieties that do well here

  • King Richard (early)
  • Bandit (winter-hardy)
  • American Flag

Watch out for

Weeds crowd young leeks. Mulch and weed regularly while the plants are small.

Slow but nearly foolproof. West of the Cascades they stand in the garden all winter, ready to dig as you need them.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Bend and Redmond, OR?

Typically June 9. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 26. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Redmond Roberts Field.

Is it too late to plant leeks in Bend and Redmond?

The spring planting window runs through June 23. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.

When should I start leeks from seed indoors in Bend and Redmond?

March 3 to March 17, which is 10 to 8 weeks before the May 12 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.

Also plant in Bend and Redmond around the same time

Planting dates for leeks in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Bend and Redmond · Leeks in every city