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When to plant Onion in Jasper County, MO

Jasper County's climate puts the Onion spring window between March 26 and April 16. most warm-season crops establish quickly once soil holds above 60°F. A second sowing from August 17 to August 31 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Onion in Jasper County, MO

Jasper County, Missouri Zone 7a August

What to do in August

Here's what deserves your attention in Jasper County, Missouri this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 9
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 84°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.4 hrs
  1. Harvest onion as they ripen

    Taste as you pick. The first ripe produce is the best feedback loop you'll get all season.

  2. Kick off the fall garden with onion

    Keep young seedlings shaded and moist in summer heat. A row of taller crops works as natural shade.

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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.

Jasper County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 1,156 feet, Jasper County receives approximately 30.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season.

Jasper County, MO (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Jasper County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Onion Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 8

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 Jasper County

How your county's soil matches Onion's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.6) overlaps with Onion's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Jasper County is excellent for Onion — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Onion.

How to Plant Onion

1"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Onion Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 754 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.5" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.4" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Jasper 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 needs ~1,522 GDD — county provides 2,900 GDD Excellent fit

Onion Planting Timeline — Jasper County, MO

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 5 Mar 5 – Mar 19
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Direct Sow March 26 Mar 26 – Apr 16
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 – Aug 27
Fall Sowing August 17 Aug 17 – Aug 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

200 days in Jasper County

Growing Tips for Onion in Jasper County

Direct sow Onion outdoors after April 09 in Jasper 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.

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

  • Peas
  • Green Beans
  • Asparagus

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Onion in Jasper County, MO?

Jasper County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jasper County, MO?

Jasper County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Onion in Jasper County, MO?

In Jasper County, MO, plant Onion after the last frost (around April 9) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Jasper County, MO for Onion?

Jasper County sits in USDA Zone 7a. Onion grows reliably in zones 3a through 10b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Onion grow in Jasper County's climate?

Yes — Onion grows well in Jasper County's temperate climate. Jasper County averages a 200-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 9 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Jasper County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Jasper 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.

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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 Jasper County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

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