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When to Plant Onion in Jackson 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.

Jackson County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 1,468 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 47.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season.

Jackson County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 1

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 264 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 4,069 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, AR

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 19 Feb 19 โ€“ Mar 5
Transplant Outdoors March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 9
Direct Sow March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Apr 2
Fall Sowing August 26 Aug 26 โ€“ Sep 9
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 โ€“ Aug 13

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

223 days

Growing Tips for Jackson 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 Jackson County, AR?

Jackson County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, AR?

Jackson County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson 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 Jackson County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.