Blog

When to plant Onion in Henry County, IA

Henry County's spring Onion window runs April 7 through April 28. time plantings around the expected last-frost window for best survival. A second sowing from August 5 to August 19 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Onion in Henry County, IA

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.

Henry County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.

At an elevation of 879 feet, Henry County receives approximately 40.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season.

Henry County, IA (Zone 5b) Moderate season
176 days
Last Spring Frost April 21
176 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Henry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Onion Planting Timeline — Henry County, IA

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 17 Mar 17 – Mar 31
Transplant Outdoors April 21 Apr 21 – May 5
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 – Apr 28
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 – Sep 8
Fall Sowing August 5 Aug 5 – Aug 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors
June
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

176 days in Henry County

Growing Tips for Henry 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Onion in Henry County, IA?

Henry County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 21. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Henry County, IA?

Henry County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 21 and first fall frost is October 14.

When should I plant Onion in Henry County, IA?

In Henry County, IA, plant Onion after the last frost (around April 21) and before the first frost (around October 14). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Henry County, IA for Onion?

Henry County sits in USDA Zone 5b. Onion grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Onion grow in Henry County's climate?

Yes — Onion grows well in Henry County's temperate climate. Henry County averages a 176-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 21 and first frost around October 14.

🌱

Your Henry County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Henry County (Zone 5b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.