When to Plant Onion in Burke County, ND
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.
Burke County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is September 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 133 days.
At an elevation of 1,146 feet, Burke County receives approximately 21.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 79°F, so choose short-season varieties of Onion to ensure they mature before fall.
Burke County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.8-7.6
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 10/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Onion Planting Timeline — Burke County, ND
Onion Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 2 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 14 | May 14 – May 28 |
| Direct Sow | May 7 | May 7 – May 28 |
| Fall Sowing | July 2 | Jul 2 – Jul 16 |
| Harvest | August 13 | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
Plant 1" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| 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 3b
Growing Season
133 days
Growing Tips for Burke 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 Burke County, ND?
Burke County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Burke County, ND?
Burke County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is September 24.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Burke County gardeners in Zone 3b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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