When to plant onions in Kentucky

Plant out in Louisville/Jefferson County

Feb 23–Mar 16

Across Kentucky the window opens between February 19 and March 11. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, Louisville/Jefferson County: Jan 12–Feb 9
Plant out, Louisville/Jefferson County: Feb 23–Mar 16
Last frost, Louisville/Jefferson County: Apr 6

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.

Onions planting dates by city

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Louisville/Jefferson CountyFeb 23–Mar 16

Lexington-FayetteMar 2–Mar 23

Bowling GreenFeb 22–Mar 15

OwensboroFeb 19–Mar 12

CovingtonMar 5–Mar 26

GeorgetownMar 7–Mar 28

RichmondMar 4–Mar 25

ElizabethtownMar 5–Mar 26

FlorenceMar 7–Mar 28

NicholasvilleMar 2–Mar 23

HopkinsvilleFeb 21–Mar 14

IndependenceMar 7–Mar 28

JeffersontownFeb 20–Mar 13

FrankfortMar 4–Mar 25

HendersonFeb 26–Mar 19

PaducahFeb 23–Mar 16

RadcliffMar 5–Mar 26

AshlandMar 11–Apr 1

ErlangerMar 7–Mar 28

Questions

When should I plant onions in Kentucky?

In Louisville/Jefferson County, plant out from February 23 to March 16. Across Kentucky the window opens between February 19 and March 11, depending on the local last frost.

How is this date worked out?

Start seeds indoors 8–12 weeks before the last frost; plant out 3–6 weeks before the last frost. Frost dates are NOAA 1991–2020 averages for the weather station nearest each city.

More for Kentucky

Onions in other states

Frost dates for every city in Kentucky