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When to Plant Onion in Somerset County, MD

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.

Somerset County, Maryland is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 1,145 feet, Somerset County receives approximately 41.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season.

Somerset County, MD (Zone 7b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
206 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Somerset County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 2 – Sep 20

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
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 275 gal / 100 sq ft
Onion needs ~2,152 GDD — county provides 4,223 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Somerset County, MD

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 โ€“ Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 โ€“ Apr 16
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 โ€“ Sep 6
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 โ€“ Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

206 days

Growing Tips for Somerset 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

  • Peas
  • Green Beans
  • Asparagus

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Onion in Somerset County, MD?

Somerset County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Somerset County, MD?

Somerset County, Maryland is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Somerset County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Somerset County, MD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.