FrostCal

When to Plant Onions in Minnesota

In a typical Minnesota location, start seeds indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5, then transplant outdoors Apr 2 – Apr 16. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 24 in Winona and as late as May 8 in Hibbing.

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
MinneapolisFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
Saint PaulFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10
RochesterFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16
BloomingtonFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
DuluthMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 16 – Apr 30
Brooklyn ParkFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16
PlymouthFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15
Maple GroveFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16
WoodburyFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12
EaganFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
Saint CloudFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 9 – Apr 23
Eden PrairieFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
West Coon RapidsFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16
Coon RapidsFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16
BlaineFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 21
BurnsvilleFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
LakevilleFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13
MinnetonkaFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16
Apple ValleyFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13
EdinaFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
Minnetonka MillsFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15
Saint Louis ParkFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15
MoorheadFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 7 – Apr 21
MankatoFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16
MaplewoodFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12
ShakopeeFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
RichfieldFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
Cottage GroveFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
RosevilleFeb 17 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14
Inver Grove HeightsFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10

Showing the 30 most populous of 104 Minnesota cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Minnesota cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant onions in Minnesota?

In a typical Minnesota location, start seeds indoors Feb 19 – Mar 5, then transplant outdoors Apr 2 – Apr 16. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 24 in Winona and as late as May 8 in Hibbing.

When is the last frost in Minnesota?

The average last spring frost in Minnesota ranges from April 21 in Winona to June 5 in Hibbing, 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 Minnesota

When to plant onions in other states

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