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When to Plant Onion in Washington County, UT

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.

Washington County, Utah is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 3,524 feet, Washington County receives approximately 12.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Onion successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Washington County, UT (Zone 8a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Washington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 6 Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 6 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 22 Transplant: May 27 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Oct 14

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
0.3″/week
You supply
1.3″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,332 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Onion needs ~1,838 GDD — county provides 3,657 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Washington County, UT

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 โ€“ Sep 6
Harvest July 6 Jul 6 โ€“ Aug 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing 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 8a

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Washington 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 Washington County, UT?

Washington County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Washington County, UT?

Washington County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Washington County gardeners in Zone 8a 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.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Washington County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.