When to plant onions in Louisiana

Onions
Plant out in New Orleans
Dec 11–Jan 1

Across Louisiana the window opens between December 11 and January 28. Find your city below; the dates follow each town's own average last frost.

Start indoors, New Orleans
Oct 30–Nov 27
Plant out, New Orleans
Dec 11–Jan 1
Last frost, New Orleans
Jan 22

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
New OrleansDec 11–Jan 1
Baton RougeJan 17–Feb 7
ShreveportJan 26–Feb 16
MetairieDec 19–Jan 9
LafayetteJan 15–Feb 5
Lake CharlesJan 3–Jan 24
St. GeorgeJan 17–Feb 7
KennerDec 19–Jan 9
Bossier CityJan 17–Feb 7
MonroeJan 25–Feb 15
AlexandriaJan 16–Feb 6
PrairievilleDec 29–Jan 19
MarreroDec 13–Jan 3
HoumaDec 25–Jan 15
CentralJan 14–Feb 4
LaplaceDec 29–Jan 19
SlidellJan 13–Feb 3
New IberiaDec 30–Jan 20
TerrytownDec 21–Jan 11
HammondJan 25–Feb 15
ChalmetteDec 30–Jan 20
RustonJan 28–Feb 18
Bayou CaneDec 25–Jan 15
HarveyDec 21–Jan 11
ZacharyJan 14–Feb 4
SulphurJan 3–Jan 24

Questions

When should I plant onions in Louisiana?

In New Orleans, plant out from December 11 to January 1. Across Louisiana the window opens between December 11 and January 28, 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 Louisiana

Onions in other states

Frost dates for every city in Louisiana