When to plant leeks in The Dalles, OR

Start leeks from seed indoors Jan 21 – Feb 4, then plant the young plants in the garden in The Dalles Apr 1 – May 13.

Easy Plant young plants (starts)

Why these dates

The Dalles's typical last spring frost is April 11. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 1.

Columbia Basin and low eastern valleys. Hot, dry summers and quick spring warm-up. Warm crops go in earlier than west of the Cascades, and irrigation matters more than rain.

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

Start seeds indoors Jan 21 – Feb 4 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.
Harden off the young plants: about a week before planting, set them outside for a few hours a day, a little longer each day.
Plant them in the garden Apr 1 – May 13, 6 inches apart. Set seedlings in a hole about 6 inches deep so the stems grow long and white.
Water deeply once or twice a week rather than a little every day, and mulch once the soil is warm.
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 The Dalles, OR?

Typically April 11. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 28. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for The Dalles Municipal Airport (Dallesport, WA).

Is it too late to plant leeks in The Dalles?

The spring planting window runs through May 13. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.

When should I start leeks from seed indoors in The Dalles?

January 21 to February 4, which is 10 to 8 weeks before the April 1 planting date. Or buy young plants at a garden center instead.