Blog

When to Plant Onion in Nottoway County, VA

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.

Nottoway County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 1,054 feet, Nottoway County receives approximately 45.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season.

Nottoway County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost April 2
215 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Nottoway County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (75 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 7

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 205 gal / 100 sq ft
Onion needs ~1,916 GDD — county provides 3,923 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline โ€” Nottoway County, VA

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 12
Transplant Outdoors April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 16
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 9
Fall Sowing August 25 Aug 25 โ€“ Sep 8
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Aug 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
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 7a

Growing Season

215 days

Growing Tips for Nottoway 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 Nottoway County, VA?

Nottoway County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 2. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nottoway County, VA?

Nottoway County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 2 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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