When to Plant Onion in Nantucket County, MA
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.
Nantucket County, Massachusetts is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.
At an elevation of 632 feet, Nantucket County receives approximately 48 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season.
Nantucket County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
4.9-6.2
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.
Soil Compatibility in Nantucket County
How your county's soil matches Onion's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (4.9–6.2) is more acidic than Onion prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Nantucket County is excellent for Onion — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Onion.
How to Plant Onion
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Onion
Onion needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Onion Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 4.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 3.9" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 4.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 4.2" | 0.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 4.1" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Nantucket County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Onion Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Onion Planting Timeline — Nantucket County, MA
Onion Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 12 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Direct Sow | March 29 | Mar 29 – Apr 19 |
| Harvest | July 12 | Jul 12 – Aug 30 |
| Fall Sowing | August 26 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
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 | Fall Sowing |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · Only during dry spells
📅 Days to Maturity
90–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
206 days in Nantucket County
Growing Tips for Onion in Nantucket County
Direct sow Onion outdoors after April 12 in Nantucket County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Onion in this region include onion maggots and thrips. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Onion in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Onion in Nantucket County, MA?
Nantucket County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 12. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Nantucket County, MA?
Nantucket County, Massachusetts is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 12 and first fall frost is November 4.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Nantucket County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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