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When to Plant Onion in Blanco County, TX

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.

Blanco County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost is November 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 258 days.

At an elevation of 4,826 feet, Blanco County receives approximately 61.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Onion, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Onion root diseases.

Blanco County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
258 days
Last Spring Frost March 8
258 growing days
First Fall Frost November 21

Blanco County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.1-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (116 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 1 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 25

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Onion needs ~1,838 GDD — county provides 4,515 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Blanco County, TX

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 โ€“ Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Direct Sow February 22 Feb 22 โ€“ Mar 15
Fall Sowing September 12 Sep 12 โ€“ Sep 26
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Jul 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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

258 days

Growing Tips for Blanco 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 Blanco County, TX?

Blanco County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 8. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Blanco County, TX?

Blanco County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and first fall frost is November 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Blanco County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Blanco County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.