When to Plant Onion in Cherry County, NE
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.
Cherry County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 149 days.
At an elevation of 980 feet, Cherry County receives approximately 24.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Onion to ensure they mature before fall.
Cherry County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-7.3
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
Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Onion Planting Timeline — Cherry County, NE
Onion Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 29 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 10 | May 10 – May 24 |
| Direct Sow | May 3 | May 3 – May 24 |
| Fall Sowing | July 14 | Jul 14 – Jul 28 |
| Harvest | August 9 | Aug 9 – Sep 27 |
Plant 1" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| 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 4b
Growing Season
149 days
Growing Tips for Cherry 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 Cherry County, NE?
Cherry County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Cherry County, NE?
Cherry County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 6.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Cherry County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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