FrostCal

When to Plant Onions in Alabama

In a typical Alabama location, start seeds indoors Jan 10 – Jan 24, then transplant outdoors Feb 21 – Mar 7. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 24 in Mobile and as late as Mar 9 in Jacksonville.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 90–120 days

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.

Onions Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
HuntsvilleJan 13 – Jan 27Feb 24 – Mar 10
BirminghamJan 10 – Jan 24Feb 21 – Mar 7
MontgomeryJan 2 – Jan 16Feb 13 – Feb 27
MobileDec 13 – Dec 27Jan 24 – Feb 7
TuscaloosaJan 7 – Jan 21Feb 18 – Mar 4
HooverJan 8 – Jan 22Feb 19 – Mar 5
DothanDec 21 – Jan 4Feb 1 – Feb 15
AuburnJan 2 – Jan 16Feb 13 – Feb 27
DecaturJan 15 – Jan 29Feb 26 – Mar 12
MadisonJan 13 – Jan 27Feb 24 – Mar 10
FlorenceJan 16 – Jan 30Feb 27 – Mar 13
Phenix CityDec 25 – Jan 8Feb 5 – Feb 19
GadsdenJan 8 – Jan 22Feb 19 – Mar 5
East FlorenceJan 16 – Jan 30Feb 27 – Mar 13
PrattvilleJan 2 – Jan 16Feb 13 – Feb 27
Vestavia HillsJan 10 – Jan 24Feb 21 – Mar 7
AlabasterJan 8 – Jan 22Feb 19 – Mar 5
OpelikaJan 18 – Feb 1Mar 1 – Mar 15
EnterpriseDec 29 – Jan 12Feb 9 – Feb 23
BessemerJan 12 – Jan 26Feb 23 – Mar 9
HomewoodJan 10 – Jan 24Feb 21 – Mar 7
AthensJan 9 – Jan 23Feb 20 – Mar 6
DaphneJan 4 – Jan 18Feb 15 – Mar 1
NorthportJan 7 – Jan 21Feb 18 – Mar 4
DixianaJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21
PelhamJan 8 – Jan 22Feb 19 – Mar 5
PrichardDec 13 – Dec 27Jan 24 – Feb 7
AnnistonJan 12 – Jan 26Feb 23 – Mar 9
AlbertvilleJan 6 – Jan 20Feb 17 – Mar 3
OxfordJan 12 – Jan 26Feb 23 – Mar 9

Showing the 30 most populous of 72 Alabama cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Alabama cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant onions in Alabama?

In a typical Alabama location, start seeds indoors Jan 10 – Jan 24, then transplant outdoors Feb 21 – Mar 7. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 24 in Mobile and as late as Mar 9 in Jacksonville.

When is the last frost in Alabama?

The average last spring frost in Alabama ranges from February 21 in Mobile to April 6 in Jacksonville, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do onions take to grow?

Onions typically take 90–120 days from planting to harvest. Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.

Other Crops in Alabama

When to plant onions in other states

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