When to Plant Onion in Lake County, OH
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.
Lake County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 161 days.
At an elevation of 740 feet, Lake County receives approximately 35.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season.
Lake County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.3-7.2
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
Onion Planting Timeline — Lake County, OH
Onion Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 31 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 5 | May 5 – May 19 |
| Direct Sow | April 21 | Apr 21 – May 12 |
| Fall Sowing | August 4 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Harvest | August 4 | Aug 4 – Sep 22 |
Plant 1" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | Fall Sowing 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 6a
Growing Season
161 days
Growing Tips for Lake 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 Lake County, OH?
Lake County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lake County, OH?
Lake County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 13.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Lake County gardeners in Zone 6a 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.