FrostCal

When to Plant Onions in Indiana

In a typical Indiana location, start seeds indoors Feb 11 – Feb 25, then transplant outdoors Mar 25 – Apr 8. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 1 in Evansville and as late as Apr 4 in Auburn.

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
IndianapolisFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6
Fort WayneFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10
EvansvilleJan 18 – Feb 1Mar 1 – Mar 15
South BendFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
CarmelFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 24 – Apr 7
BloomingtonFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1
HammondFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
GaryFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
FishersFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 24 – Apr 7
LafayetteFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12
MuncieFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 19 – Apr 2
Terre HauteFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1
NoblesvilleFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 24 – Apr 7
KokomoFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13
GreenwoodFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6
AndersonFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 22 – Apr 5
ElkhartFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12
MishawakaFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
LawrenceFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 21 – Apr 4
JeffersonvilleJan 20 – Feb 3Mar 3 – Mar 17
ColumbusJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 14 – Mar 28
West LafayetteFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12
PortageFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
WestfieldFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 24 – Apr 7
New AlbanyJan 20 – Feb 3Mar 3 – Mar 17
RichmondFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10
MerrillvilleFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
GoshenFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12
ValparaisoFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
Michigan CityFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 22 – Apr 5

Showing the 30 most populous of 88 Indiana cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Indiana cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant onions in Indiana?

In a typical Indiana location, start seeds indoors Feb 11 – Feb 25, then transplant outdoors Mar 25 – Apr 8. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 1 in Evansville and as late as Apr 4 in Auburn.

When is the last frost in Indiana?

The average last spring frost in Indiana ranges from March 29 in Evansville to May 2 in Auburn, 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 Indiana

When to plant onions in other states

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