When to Plant Onions in Mississippi

In a typical Mississippi location, start seeds indoors Jan 2 – Jan 16, then transplant outdoors Feb 13 – Feb 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 15 in Biloxi and as late as Mar 6 in Oxford.

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
JacksonDec 26 – Jan 9Feb 6 – Feb 20
GulfportDec 10 – Dec 24Jan 21 – Feb 4
West GulfportDec 15 – Dec 29Jan 26 – Feb 9
SouthavenJan 5 – Jan 19Feb 16 – Mar 2
HattiesburgDec 28 – Jan 11Feb 8 – Feb 22
BiloxiDec 4 – Dec 18Jan 15 – Jan 29
MeridianJan 5 – Jan 19Feb 16 – Mar 2
Olive BranchJan 15 – Jan 29Feb 26 – Mar 12
TupeloJan 10 – Jan 24Feb 21 – Mar 7
GreenvilleJan 2 – Jan 16Feb 13 – Feb 27
Horn LakeJan 5 – Jan 19Feb 16 – Mar 2
PearlJan 3 – Jan 17Feb 14 – Feb 28
MadisonJan 3 – Jan 17Feb 14 – Feb 28
StarkvilleJan 12 – Jan 26Feb 23 – Mar 9
ClintonDec 26 – Jan 9Feb 6 – Feb 20
RidgelandJan 3 – Jan 17Feb 14 – Feb 28
BrandonJan 3 – Jan 17Feb 14 – Feb 28
ColumbusJan 2 – Jan 16Feb 13 – Feb 27
VicksburgDec 18 – Jan 1Jan 29 – Feb 12
OxfordJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20
PascagoulaDec 28 – Jan 11Feb 8 – Feb 22
LaurelJan 1 – Jan 15Feb 12 – Feb 26
GautierDec 21 – Jan 4Feb 1 – Feb 15
Ocean SpringsDec 4 – Dec 18Jan 15 – Jan 29
ClarksdaleJan 5 – Jan 19Feb 16 – Mar 2
Long BeachDec 10 – Dec 24Jan 21 – Feb 4
HernandoJan 17 – Jan 31Feb 28 – Mar 14
GreenwoodJan 6 – Jan 20Feb 17 – Mar 3
NatchezJan 5 – Jan 19Feb 16 – Mar 2
CorinthJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 5 – Mar 19

Showing the 30 most populous of 45 Mississippi cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Mississippi cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant onions in Mississippi?

In a typical Mississippi location, start seeds indoors Jan 2 – Jan 16, then transplant outdoors Feb 13 – Feb 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 15 in Biloxi and as late as Mar 6 in Oxford.

When is the last frost in Mississippi?

The average last spring frost in Mississippi ranges from February 12 in Biloxi to April 3 in Oxford, 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 Mississippi

When to plant onions in other states

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