FrostCal

When to Plant Onions in Massachusetts

In a typical Massachusetts location, start seeds indoors Feb 14 – Feb 28, then transplant outdoors Mar 28 – Apr 11. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 7 in Boston and as late as Apr 12 in North Adams.

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
BostonJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21
WorcesterFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
SpringfieldFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19
LowellFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16
CambridgeJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21
New BedfordJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 14 – Mar 28
DorchesterFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 22 – Apr 5
BrocktonFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
Fall RiverJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 14 – Mar 28
QuincyFeb 14 – Feb 28Mar 28 – Apr 11
LynnFeb 14 – Feb 28Mar 28 – Apr 11
NewtonFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 22 – Apr 5
SomervilleJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21
LawrenceFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 16 – Mar 30
FraminghamFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12
Framingham CenterFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12
WalthamFeb 17 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14
HaverhillFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17
MaldenJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21
BrooklineFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 22 – Apr 5
MedfordJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21
TauntonFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
ChicopeeFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19
North ChicopeeFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19
WeymouthFeb 14 – Feb 28Mar 28 – Apr 11
RevereJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21
PeabodyFeb 14 – Feb 28Mar 28 – Apr 11
MethuenFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 16 – Mar 30
South PeabodyFeb 14 – Feb 28Mar 28 – Apr 11
BarnstableFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8

Showing the 30 most populous of 183 Massachusetts cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Massachusetts cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant onions in Massachusetts?

In a typical Massachusetts location, start seeds indoors Feb 14 – Feb 28, then transplant outdoors Mar 28 – Apr 11. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 7 in Boston and as late as Apr 12 in North Adams.

When is the last frost in Massachusetts?

The average last spring frost in Massachusetts ranges from April 4 in Boston to May 10 in North Adams, 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 Massachusetts

When to plant onions in other states

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