FrostCal

When to Plant Onions in Kentucky

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Feb 1 – Feb 15, then transplant outdoors Mar 15 – Mar 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 3 in Louisville and as late as Apr 3 in Shelbyville.

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
LouisvilleJan 20 – Feb 3Mar 3 – Mar 17
LexingtonFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 16 – Mar 30
Lexington-FayetteFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 16 – Mar 30
MeadsFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
Bowling GreenJan 25 – Feb 8Mar 8 – Mar 22
OwensboroJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20
CovingtonFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 19 – Apr 2
RichmondFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1
GeorgetownFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 16 – Mar 30
FlorenceFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 21 – Apr 4
HopkinsvilleJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21
NicholasvilleJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 10 – Mar 24
ElizabethtownFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 19 – Apr 2
HendersonJan 29 – Feb 12Mar 12 – Mar 26
FrankfortFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1
JeffersontownJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20
IndependenceFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 21 – Apr 4
PaducahJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 9 – Mar 23
Valley StationJan 20 – Feb 3Mar 3 – Mar 17
RadcliffFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 19 – Apr 2
AshlandFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
NewburgJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 9 – Mar 23
MadisonvilleJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 5 – Mar 19
MurrayJan 25 – Feb 8Mar 8 – Mar 22
ErlangerFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 21 – Apr 4
WinchesterFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6
Fern CreekJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 9 – Mar 23
Saint MatthewsJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20
OkolonaJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 9 – Mar 23
DanvilleJan 29 – Feb 12Mar 12 – Mar 26

Showing the 30 most populous of 52 Kentucky cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Kentucky cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant onions in Kentucky?

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Feb 1 – Feb 15, then transplant outdoors Mar 15 – Mar 29. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 3 in Louisville and as late as Apr 3 in Shelbyville.

When is the last frost in Kentucky?

The average last spring frost in Kentucky ranges from March 31 in Louisville to May 1 in Shelbyville, 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 Kentucky

When to plant onions in other states

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