When to Plant Onion in Lauderdale County, MS
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.
Lauderdale County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 233 days.
At an elevation of 180 feet, Lauderdale County receives approximately 56.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Onion, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Onion root diseases.
Lauderdale County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Clay Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.8
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 — Lauderdale County, MS
Onion Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 13 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Direct Sow | March 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 27 |
| Fall Sowing | August 30 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Harvest | June 19 | Jun 19 – Aug 7 |
Plant 1" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| April | Transplant Outdoors |
| May | — |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| 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 8a
Growing Season
233 days
Growing Tips for Lauderdale 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 Lauderdale County, MS?
Lauderdale County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lauderdale County, MS?
Lauderdale County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 8.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Lauderdale County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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