When to plant leeks in Sacramento, California

December 15 – December 29

Transplant outdoors · typical Sacramento year

Climate basis: NOAA station Sacramento 5 Ese, CA (USW00023271), 5 mi (7 km) from downtown Sacramento (ZCTA 95814 centroid), elevation 38 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Transplant leeks outdoors from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (January 12). One year in ten still freezes after February 8.

Last spring freezeJanuary 121-in-10 after Feb 8

First fall freezeDecember 161-in-10 before Nov 28

Frost-free season≈ 341 daysmedian at 32°F

USDA zone9b25 to 30°F winter low — not frost timing

The Sacramento year

Start seeds indoorsOct 6 – Oct 20

Transplant outdoorsDec 15 – Dec 29

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Feb 8

Leeks in Sacramento · freeze context from Sacramento 5 Ese, CA, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Oct 6 – Oct 20

Sow 8–10 weeks before the set-out window opens (UNH: time from seed to transplant 8–10 weeks). Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Jan 12). University of New Hampshire Extension

Transplant outdoors

Dec 15 – Dec 29

UNH: safe to set out 4 weeks before the last frost; Purdue's hardy class allows 4–6 weeks before. The later UNH start is used. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Jan 12). University of New Hampshire Extension · Purdue University Extension

Direct-sow outdoors

Not calculated

Leeks are typically transplanted (Purdue marks leek 'typically transplanted'); the cited guides do not time direct sowing.

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (2)

University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet] (accessed 2026-07-24)
Per-crop 'time from seed to transplant' and 'safe to set out in garden' relative to last frost.
Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.

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