FrostCal

When to Plant Onions in Ohio

In a typical Ohio location, start seeds indoors Feb 11 – Feb 25, then transplant outdoors Mar 25 – Apr 8. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 11 in Cleveland and as late as Apr 10 in Girard.

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
ColumbusFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6
ClevelandJan 28 – Feb 11Mar 11 – Mar 25
CincinnatiFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 19 – Apr 2
ToledoFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6
AkronFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10
DaytonFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 21 – Apr 4
ParmaFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6
CantonFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10
YoungstownFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17
LorainFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10
HamiltonFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
SpringfieldFeb 14 – Feb 28Mar 28 – Apr 11
KetteringFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 21 – Apr 4
ElyriaFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
LakewoodFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6
Cuyahoga FallsFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16
MiddletownFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10
NewarkFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15
EuclidJan 28 – Feb 11Mar 11 – Mar 25
MentorFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12
MansfieldFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12
BeavercreekFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 21 – Apr 4
DublinFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
Cleveland HeightsJan 28 – Feb 11Mar 11 – Mar 25
StrongsvilleFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6
FairfieldFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 22 – Apr 5
FindlayFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
WarrenFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 10 – Apr 24
LancasterFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
Grove CityFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9

Showing the 30 most populous of 203 Ohio cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Ohio cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant onions in Ohio?

In a typical Ohio location, start seeds indoors Feb 11 – Feb 25, then transplant outdoors Mar 25 – Apr 8. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 11 in Cleveland and as late as Apr 10 in Girard.

When is the last frost in Ohio?

The average last spring frost in Ohio ranges from April 8 in Cleveland to May 8 in Girard, 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 Ohio

When to plant onions in other states

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