When to Plant Onion in Burt County, NE
This month in Burt County, Nebraska
May is a pivotal month for Burt County, Nebraska gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Sow onion in trays indoors
These need a head start before your last frost (April 23). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.
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.
Burt County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.
At an elevation of 501 feet, Burt County receives approximately 27.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Onion during the growing season.
Burt County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.6
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 Burt County
How your county's soil matches Onion's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.6) is more alkaline than Onion prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Burt County is excellent for Onion — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). 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
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 | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 4.3" | 3.8" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 4.3" | 3.7" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Sep | 4.3" | 2.9" | 1.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | 4.3" | 1.9" | 2.4" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Nov | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Burt 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 — Burt County, NE
Onion Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 19 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 23 | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Direct Sow | April 9 | Apr 9 – Apr 30 |
| Harvest | July 23 | Jul 23 – Sep 10 |
| Fall Sowing | August 2 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
Plant 1" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors 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
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
90–120 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5b
📆 Growing Season
171 days in Burt County
Growing Tips for Onion in Burt County
Direct sow Onion outdoors after April 23 in Burt 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Onion in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Onion in Burt County, NE?
Burt County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Burt County, NE?
Burt County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 11.
Your Burt County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Burt 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.