When to plant onions
The rule
Start seeds indoors 8–12 weeks before the last frost; plant out 3–6 weeks before the last frost.
Northern gardens need long-day varieties and southern gardens need short-day ones. A wrong pick gives small bulbs.
- Days to harvest
- 100–120
- Type
- Cool season
Start dates by state
Before FebFebruaryMarchAprilMayJune or later
| State | Largest city | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Huntsville | Feb 10 to Mar 3 |
| Alaska | Anchorage | Apr 4 to Apr 25 |
| Arizona | Phoenix | Nov 27 to Dec 18 |
| Arkansas | Little Rock | Feb 7 to Feb 28 |
| California | San Jose | Nov 21 to Dec 12 |
| Colorado | Denver | Mar 23 to Apr 13 |
| Connecticut | Bridgeport | Feb 22 to Mar 15 |
| Delaware | Wilmington | Feb 24 to Mar 17 |
| District of Columbia | Washington | Feb 15 to Mar 8 |
| Florida | Jacksonville | Dec 21 to Jan 11 |
| Georgia | Atlanta | Feb 10 to Mar 3 |
| Hawaii | no frost date | |
| Idaho | Boise City | Mar 13 to Apr 3 |
| Illinois | Chicago | Feb 27 to Mar 20 |
| Indiana | Indianapolis | Mar 9 to Mar 30 |
| Iowa | Des Moines | Mar 7 to Mar 28 |
| Kansas | Wichita | Feb 28 to Mar 21 |
| Kentucky | Louisville/Jefferson County | Feb 23 to Mar 16 |
| Louisiana | New Orleans | Dec 11 to Jan 1 |
| Maine | Portland | Mar 15 to Apr 5 |
| Maryland | Baltimore | Feb 10 to Mar 3 |
| Massachusetts | Boston | Feb 21 to Mar 14 |
| Michigan | Detroit | Mar 16 to Apr 6 |
| Minnesota | Minneapolis | Mar 12 to Apr 2 |
| Mississippi | Jackson | Jan 23 to Feb 13 |
| Missouri | Kansas City | Feb 21 to Mar 14 |
| Montana | Billings | Mar 23 to Apr 13 |
| Nebraska | Omaha | Mar 5 to Mar 26 |
| Nevada | Las Vegas | Dec 13 to Jan 3 |
| New Hampshire | Manchester | Mar 19 to Apr 9 |
| New Jersey | Newark | Feb 21 to Mar 14 |
| New Mexico | Albuquerque | Mar 12 to Apr 2 |
| New York | New York | Feb 18 to Mar 11 |
| North Carolina | Charlotte | Feb 16 to Mar 9 |
| North Dakota | Fargo | Mar 23 to Apr 13 |
| Ohio | Columbus | Mar 9 to Mar 30 |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma City | Feb 21 to Mar 14 |
| Oregon | Portland | Jan 14 to Feb 4 |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Feb 16 to Mar 9 |
| Rhode Island | Providence | Feb 28 to Mar 21 |
| South Carolina | Charleston | Dec 24 to Jan 14 |
| South Dakota | Sioux Falls | Mar 15 to Apr 5 |
| Tennessee | Nashville | Feb 18 to Mar 11 |
| Texas | Houston | Dec 22 to Jan 12 |
| Utah | Salt Lake City | Feb 17 to Mar 10 |
| Vermont | Burlington | Mar 18 to Apr 8 |
| Virginia | Virginia Beach | Feb 15 to Mar 8 |
| Washington | Seattle | Jan 25 to Feb 15 |
| West Virginia | Charleston | Mar 5 to Mar 26 |
| Wisconsin | Milwaukee | Mar 15 to Apr 5 |
| Wyoming | Cheyenne | Apr 2 to Apr 23 |
Tomatoes
Potatoes
Tulip bulbs
Garlic
Pumpkins
Strawberries
Carrots
Sunflowers
Cucumbers
Daffodil bulbs
Corn
Sweet potatoes