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When to Plant Onion in Drew County, AR

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.

Drew County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 237 days.

At an elevation of 1,158 feet, Drew County receives approximately 54.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Onion root diseases.

Drew County, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
237 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
237 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Drew County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (97 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 26

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
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 65 gal / 100 sq ft
Onion needs ~1,838 GDD — county provides 4,147 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Drew County, AR

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 25
Fall Sowing September 1 Sep 1 โ€“ Sep 15
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 โ€“ Aug 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August 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 8a

Growing Season

237 days

Growing Tips for Drew 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 Drew County, AR?

Drew County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Drew County, AR?

Drew County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Drew County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Drew County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.