New Jersey planting calendar

When to plant leeks in New Jersey — sow, transplant & harvest dates

New Jersey is mostly USDA zone 7a (range 6a-7b). Dates below are derived from leeks's frost tolerance and New Jersey's frost window — not generic national averages.

Leeks planting timetable for New Jersey

Stage	When in New Jersey	Anchor
Start seeds indoors	early February (February 4)	10 weeks before the last frost (mid-April)
Transplant outside	mid-March (March 18)	28 days before the last frost (mid-April)
First harvest (estimate)	mid-July (July 16)	~120 days from transplant

Dates are state-wide averages for the dominant zone. Local microclimates — elevation, urban heat, coastal moderation — can shift the window by 1-2 weeks. Use the frost-date calculator for a date tuned to your town.

Why New Jersey's climate shifts the leeks dates

New Jersey's last spring frost averages mid-April and first fall frost late October, which sets the whole planting clock. New Jersey has a mild mid-Atlantic climate with a long season, moderated by the ocean and Delaware Bay along the coast. Sow early — leeks bolt once daytime temperatures hold above 24 °C, so the earlier they go in, the longer the harvest.

Leeks are among the hardiest alliums — established plants tolerate temperatures as low as -10 °C, making them a reliable overwintering crop in zones 5–9. Start seeds indoors 10–12 weeks before last frost, transplanting pencil-thick seedlings into 15 cm (6-inch) deep holes or trenches to blanch the stems; backfill gradually as plants grow. Early-season varieties mature in around 90 days; late-season types take up to 150 days and deliver the best cold-hardiness for autumn and winter harvest.

Frost-risk note

Don't plant before mid-April — a hard freeze can still set young plants back. In the northwest Highlands near High Point (zone 6a) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within New Jersey

the northwest Highlands near High Point (zone 6a) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Atlantic shore and inner harbor (zone 7b) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

Newark — USDA zone 7b
Jersey City — USDA zone 7b
Trenton — USDA zone 7a
Atlantic City — USDA zone 7b

What else to plant in New Jersey around then

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Quick-grow guide

Sun: Full sun — 6+ hours direct.
Soil temperature for germination: 7-25 °C (45-77 °F).
Spacing: 6 inches (15 cm) between plants.
Days to harvest: ~120 days from planting out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant leeks in New Jersey?

In New Jersey (mostly USDA zone 7a), sow leeks indoors around early February, transplant outdoors mid-March (before the last frost, mid-April), and harvest from mid-July. Leeks are cold-hardy — they tolerate frost and actively prefer cool weather, so they go in well before the last spring frost and bolt in summer heat.

What USDA zone is New Jersey?

Most of New Jersey sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a, with the state spanning roughly 6a-7b from the northwest Highlands near High Point (zone 6a) to the Atlantic shore and inner harbor (zone 7b). The last spring frost averages mid-April and the first fall frost late October.

Can you grow leeks in New Jersey?

Yes. New Jersey's dominant zone 7a supports leeks — the key is timing. Leeks are cold-hardy — they tolerate frost and actively prefer cool weather, so they go in well before the last spring frost and bolt in summer heat.

Does the planting date change across New Jersey?

the northwest Highlands near High Point (zone 6a) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Atlantic shore and inner harbor (zone 7b) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in New Jersey around the same time?

The same early window suits peas, lettuce, spinach, and onion sets.

Source and methodology

State zone spans from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023); frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online. Hot-state two-season timing cross-checked against the UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension planting calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.