When to Plant Onion in Breathitt County, KY
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.
Breathitt County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.
At an elevation of 2,506 feet, Breathitt County receives approximately 48.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season.
Breathitt County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.4-6.6
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 — Breathitt County, KY
Onion Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Direct Sow | April 4 | Apr 4 – Apr 25 |
| Fall Sowing | August 17 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Harvest | July 18 | Jul 18 – Sep 5 |
Plant 1" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| 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
191 days
Growing Tips for Breathitt 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 Breathitt County, KY?
Breathitt County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Breathitt County, KY?
Breathitt County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 26.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Breathitt County gardeners in Zone 6b 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.