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When to Plant Onion in Jefferson Davis 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.

Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and the first fall frost is December 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 297 days.

At an elevation of 381 feet, Jefferson Davis Parish receives approximately 61.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, 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.

Jefferson Davis Parish, LA (Zone 9a) Year-round
297 days
Last Spring Frost February 13
297 growing days
First Fall Frost December 7

Jefferson Davis Parish Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (165 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 2 Transplant: Jan 30 🍅 Harvest: May 1 – Jun 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (157 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 16 Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (152 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 24

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Onion needs ~2,231 GDD — county provides 6,332 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Jefferson Davis Parish, LA

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 16 Jan 16 โ€“ Jan 30
Transplant Outdoors February 13 Feb 13 โ€“ Feb 27
Direct Sow January 23 Jan 23 โ€“ Feb 13
Fall Sowing October 12 Oct 12 โ€“ Oct 26
Harvest May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jul 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors Direct Sow
February Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
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 9a

Growing Season

297 days

Growing Tips for Jefferson Davis 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 Jefferson Davis Parish, LA?

Jefferson Davis Parish is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 13. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jefferson Davis Parish, LA?

Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 13 and first fall frost is December 7.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jefferson Davis Parish gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Jefferson Davis Parish, LA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.