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When to Plant Onion in East Feliciana Parish, LA

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.

East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 17 and the first fall frost is December 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 288 days.

At an elevation of 75 feet, East Feliciana Parish receives approximately 55.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Onion may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

East Feliciana Parish, LA (Zone 8b) Year-round
288 days
Last Spring Frost February 17
288 growing days
First Fall Frost December 2

East Feliciana Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 7 Transplant: Feb 11 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 13 Transplant: Feb 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (144 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Onion needs ~2,310 GDD — county provides 6,358 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” East Feliciana Parish, LA

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 13 Jan 13 โ€“ Jan 27
Transplant Outdoors February 17 Feb 17 โ€“ Mar 3
Direct Sow February 3 Feb 3 โ€“ Feb 24
Fall Sowing September 23 Sep 23 โ€“ Oct 7
Harvest May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jul 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

288 days

Growing Tips for East Feliciana Parish

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Onion in East Feliciana Parish, LA?

East Feliciana Parish is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 17. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is East Feliciana Parish, LA?

East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 17 and first fall frost is December 2.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help East Feliciana Parish 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 East Feliciana Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.