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When to Plant Onion in Thomas County, GA

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.

Thomas County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 263 days.

At an elevation of 302 feet, Thomas County receives approximately 58.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Onion may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Thomas County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
263 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
263 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Thomas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 28 Transplant: Mar 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 12

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 161 gal / 100 sq ft
Onion needs ~2,231 GDD — county provides 5,588 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Thomas County, GA

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 28 Jan 28 โ€“ Feb 11
Transplant Outdoors March 4 Mar 4 โ€“ Mar 18
Direct Sow February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 11
Fall Sowing September 13 Sep 13 โ€“ Sep 27
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jul 22

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 โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

263 days

Growing Tips for Thomas 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 Thomas County, GA?

Thomas County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Thomas County, GA?

Thomas County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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