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When to Plant Onion in Culberson County, TX

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.

Culberson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 227 days.

At an elevation of 2,716 feet, Culberson County receives approximately 50.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Onion may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Onion will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Onion root diseases.

Culberson County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
227 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
227 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Culberson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

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 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 8.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 9.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Culberson County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Onion Planting Timeline — Culberson County, TX

Onion Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 22 Feb 22 – Mar 8
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 12
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 – Apr 5
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 – Aug 16
Fall Sowing September 2 Sep 2 – Sep 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Fall Sowing
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 8a

📆 Growing Season

227 days in Culberson County

Growing Tips for Culberson 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 Culberson County, TX?

Culberson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Onion planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Culberson County, TX?

Culberson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 11.

🌱

Your Culberson County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Culberson County (Zone 8a). 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 Culberson County, TX. 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.