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When to Plant Onion in Morgan County, AL

Onions are a fundamental kitchen staple available in yellow, white, and red varieties. Choose long-day, short-day, or intermediate types based on your latitude.

Morgan County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 224 days.

At an elevation of 386 feet, Morgan County receives approximately 54.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Onion, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Onion root diseases.

Morgan County, AL (Zone 7a) Long season
224 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
224 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Morgan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (84 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 5

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Onion needs ~1,916 GDD — county provides 4,088 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Morgan County, AL

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Fall Sowing August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Sep 11
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 โ€“ Aug 14

Plant 1" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

224 days

Growing Tips for Morgan County

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before transplanting. Match day-length type to your latitude. Stop watering when tops begin to fall over and cure bulbs for 2-3 weeks before storage.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Peas
  • Green Beans
  • Asparagus

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Onion in Morgan County, AL?

Morgan County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morgan County, AL?

Morgan County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Morgan County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Morgan County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.