When to Plant Onion in Pope 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.
Pope County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.
At an elevation of 1,120 feet, Pope County receives approximately 39.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season.
Pope County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.1
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
Onion Planting Timeline — Pope County, IL
Onion Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 3 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 7 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Direct Sow | March 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 14 |
| Fall Sowing | August 12 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Harvest | July 7 | Jul 7 – Aug 25 |
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 | — |
| 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 6b
Growing Season
197 days
Growing Tips for Pope 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 Pope County, IL?
Pope County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 7. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Pope County, IL?
Pope County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is October 21.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Pope County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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