Blog

When to Plant Onion in Hyde County, NC

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.

Hyde County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 239 days.

At an elevation of 638 feet, Hyde County receives approximately 49.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, 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.

Hyde County, NC (Zone 8a) Long season
239 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
239 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Hyde County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 26

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 288 gal / 100 sq ft
Onion needs ~2,231 GDD — county provides 5,078 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Hyde County, NC

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 September 7 Sep 7 โ€“ Sep 21
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 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

239 days

Growing Tips for Hyde 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 Hyde County, NC?

Hyde 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 Hyde County, NC?

Hyde County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hyde County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Hyde County, NC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.