FrostCal

When to Plant Onions in New York

In a typical New York location, start seeds indoors Jan 30 – Feb 13, then transplant outdoors Mar 13 – Mar 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 26 in Elmhurst and as late as Apr 19 in Corning.

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
New York CityJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 2 – Mar 16
BrooklynJan 21 – Feb 4Mar 4 – Mar 18
QueensJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 5 – Mar 19
ManhattanJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 2 – Mar 16
The BronxJan 21 – Feb 4Mar 4 – Mar 18
Staten IslandJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 5 – Mar 19
BuffaloFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10
JamaicaJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 5 – Mar 19
RochesterFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10
YonkersFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6
AstoriaJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 2 – Mar 16
SyracuseFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15
AmherstFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10
ElmhurstJan 15 – Jan 29Feb 26 – Mar 12
CoronaJan 15 – Jan 29Feb 26 – Mar 12
AlbanyFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13
Richmond HillJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 5 – Mar 19
West AlbanyFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13
GreenburghFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6
New RochelleJan 21 – Feb 4Mar 4 – Mar 18
South Ozone ParkJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 5 – Mar 19
CheektowagaFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10
RidgewoodJan 15 – Jan 29Feb 26 – Mar 12
Mount VernonJan 21 – Feb 4Mar 4 – Mar 18
Forest HillsJan 15 – Jan 29Feb 26 – Mar 12
Jackson HeightsJan 15 – Jan 29Feb 26 – Mar 12
BaysideJan 15 – Jan 29Feb 26 – Mar 12
SchenectadyFeb 16 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13
UticaFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17
BrentwoodJan 30 – Feb 13Mar 13 – Mar 27

Showing the 30 most populous of 267 New York cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all New York cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant onions in New York?

In a typical New York location, start seeds indoors Jan 30 – Feb 13, then transplant outdoors Mar 13 – Mar 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 26 in Elmhurst and as late as Apr 19 in Corning.

When is the last frost in New York?

The average last spring frost in New York ranges from March 26 in Elmhurst to May 17 in Corning, 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 York

When to plant onions in other states

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