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When to Plant Onion in Panola 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.

Panola County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 226 days.

At an elevation of 362 feet, Panola County receives approximately 60.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Panola County, MS (Zone 7b) Long season
226 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
226 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Panola County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 2

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Onion needs ~1,995 GDD — county provides 4,294 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Panola 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 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8
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 7b

Growing Season

226 days

Growing Tips for Panola 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Onion in Panola County, MS?

Panola County is in Zone 7b 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 Panola County, MS?

Panola County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 3.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Panola County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Panola County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.