When to Plant Onion in Lawrence County, IL
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.
Lawrence County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.
At an elevation of 969 feet, Lawrence County receives approximately 35.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season.
Lawrence County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.8-7.3
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Onion Planting Timeline — Lawrence County, IL
Onion Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 9 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 13 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Direct Sow | March 30 | Mar 30 – Apr 20 |
| Fall Sowing | August 18 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Harvest | July 13 | Jul 13 – Aug 31 |
Plant 1" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
90–120 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
USDA Zone
Zone 6a
Growing Season
197 days
Growing Tips for Lawrence 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
Level Up Your Garden
Onion in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Onion in Lawrence County, IL?
Lawrence County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 13. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lawrence County, IL?
Lawrence County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 13 and first fall frost is October 27.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Lawrence County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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