Blog

When to Plant Onion in Baker County, FL

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.

Baker County, Florida is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost is November 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 271 days.

At an elevation of 177 feet, Baker County receives approximately 55.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Onion will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Onion root diseases.

Baker County, FL (Zone 8b) Year-round
271 days
Last Spring Frost March 1
271 growing days
First Fall Frost November 27

Baker County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.9-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (135 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 10 Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 13

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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,050 gal / 100 sq ft
Onion needs ~2,152 GDD — county provides 5,555 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Baker County, FL

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 25 Jan 25 โ€“ Feb 8
Transplant Outdoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Direct Sow February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 8
Fall Sowing September 18 Sep 18 โ€“ Oct 2
Harvest May 31 May 31 โ€“ Jul 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October Fall Sowing
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 8b

Growing Season

271 days

Growing Tips for Baker 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 Baker County, FL?

Baker County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 1. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Baker County, FL?

Baker County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 1 and first fall frost is November 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Baker County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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