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When to Plant Onion in Somervell 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.

Somervell County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 238 days.

At an elevation of 4,773 feet, Somervell County receives approximately 64.7 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.

Somervell County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
238 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
238 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Somervell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

7.2-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 1 Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (98 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Aug 30

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Onion needs ~1,838 GDD — county provides 4,165 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Somervell County, TX

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 12 Feb 12 โ€“ Feb 26
Transplant Outdoors March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 2
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 26
Fall Sowing September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Sep 17
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March 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 7b

Growing Season

238 days

Growing Tips for Somervell 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 Somervell County, TX?

Somervell County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Somervell County, TX?

Somervell County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Somervell County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Somervell County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.