FrostCal

When to Plant Onions in New Jersey

In a typical New Jersey location, start seeds indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18, then transplant outdoors Mar 18 – Apr 1. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 26 in Atlantic City and as late as Apr 2 in Manville.

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
NewarkJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21
Jersey CityJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21
PatersonFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1
ElizabethJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 5 – Mar 19
EdisonFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1
TrentonFeb 6 – Feb 20Mar 20 – Apr 3
Toms RiverFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
CliftonFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1
CamdenJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 2 – Mar 16
BrickFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
PassaicJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20
Cherry HillFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1
Union CityJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 2 – Mar 16
BayonneJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 5 – Mar 19
MiddletownFeb 6 – Feb 20Mar 20 – Apr 3
East OrangeJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21
North BergenJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 2 – Mar 16
IrvingtonJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 7 – Mar 21
VinelandJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 14 – Mar 28
South VinelandFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10
WayneFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 17 – Mar 31
New BrunswickFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1
UnionJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 14 – Mar 28
PiscatawayFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1
JacksonFeb 17 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14
LakewoodFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
HobokenJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 2 – Mar 16
West New YorkJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 2 – Mar 16
Perth AmboyFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1
PlainfieldJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 14 – Mar 28

Showing the 30 most populous of 223 New Jersey cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all New Jersey cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant onions in New Jersey?

In a typical New Jersey location, start seeds indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18, then transplant outdoors Mar 18 – Apr 1. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 26 in Atlantic City and as late as Apr 2 in Manville.

When is the last frost in New Jersey?

The average last spring frost in New Jersey ranges from March 26 in Atlantic City to April 30 in Manville, 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 New Jersey

When to plant onions in other states

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