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When to Plant Onion in Hendry 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.

Hendry County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 14 and the first fall frost is April 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 91 days.

At an elevation of 403 feet, Hendry County receives approximately 55.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, 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.

Hendry County, FL (Zone 10a) Very short season
91 days
Last Spring Frost January 14
91 growing days
First Fall Frost April 15

Hendry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

5-5.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 13 Transplant: Jan 10 🍅 Harvest: Apr 11 – May 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Start indoors: Dec 17 Transplant: Jan 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 15 – Jun 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 12 Transplant: Feb 9 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jun 29

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,560 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Onion needs ~1,759 GDD — county provides 6,113 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Hendry County, FL

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 17 Dec 17 โ€“ Dec 31
Transplant Outdoors January 14 Jan 14 โ€“ Jan 28
Direct Sow December 24 Dec 24 โ€“ Jan 14
Fall Sowing February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 4
Harvest April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Jun 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 10a

Growing Season

91 days

Growing Tips for Hendry 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 Hendry County, FL?

Hendry County is in Zone 10a with an average last frost of January 14. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hendry County, FL?

Hendry County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is January 14 and first fall frost is .

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hendry County gardeners in Zone 10a 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 Hendry County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.