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When to Plant Onion in Bucks County, PA

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.

Bucks County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 958 feet, Bucks County receives approximately 42.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season.

Bucks County, PA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25

Bucks County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Sep 28

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 95 gal / 100 sq ft
Onion needs ~1,680 GDD — county provides 3,040 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Bucks County, PA

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Aug 30
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Sep 5

Plant 1" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

190 days

Growing Tips for Bucks 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 Bucks County, PA?

Bucks County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bucks County, PA?

Bucks County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bucks County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Bucks County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.