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When to Plant Onion in Neshoba 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.

Neshoba County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 230 days.

At an elevation of 231 feet, Neshoba County receives approximately 50.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Onion may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Neshoba County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
230 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
230 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7

Neshoba County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 27

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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 159 gal / 100 sq ft
Onion needs ~2,389 GDD — county provides 5,232 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Neshoba County, MS

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 5
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 29
Fall Sowing August 29 Aug 29 โ€“ Sep 12
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Aug 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June Harvest
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 8a

Growing Season

230 days

Growing Tips for Neshoba 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 Neshoba County, MS?

Neshoba County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Neshoba County, MS?

Neshoba County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 7.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Neshoba County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Neshoba County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.