When to Plant Onion in Payette County, ID
Your May game plan for Payette County, Idaho
Each item below is timed to Payette County, Idaho's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Plant out onion
Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Starting indoors: onion
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.
Payette County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 145 days.
At an elevation of 6,117 feet, Payette County receives approximately 24 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season.
Payette County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.2-7.7
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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.
Soil Compatibility in Payette County
How your county's soil matches Onion's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.2–7.7) overlaps with Onion's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Payette County is excellent for Onion — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Onion.
How to Plant Onion
Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Monthly Watering Guide for Onion
Onion needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Onion Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 1.8" | 2.5" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 2.2" | 2.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 2.7" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.1" | 2.2" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 2.2" | 2.1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | — | 1.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Payette County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Onion Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Onion Planting Timeline — Payette County, ID
Onion Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | April 4 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 9 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Direct Sow | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 16 |
| Harvest | August 8 | Aug 8 – Sep 26 |
| Fall Sowing | July 23 | Jul 23 – Aug 6 |
Plant 1" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Start Indoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Fall Sowing |
| August | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
90–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7a
📆 Growing Season
145 days in Payette County
Growing Tips for Onion in Payette County
Direct sow Onion outdoors after May 09 in Payette County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Onion in this region include onion maggots and thrips. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
Payette County receives only 24" of rain annually. Onion needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
General growing tips
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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Onion in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Onion in Payette County, ID?
Payette County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Payette County, ID?
Payette County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 1.
Your Payette County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Payette County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.