FrostCal

When to Plant Onions in Tennessee

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Jan 26 – Feb 9, then transplant outdoors Mar 9 – Mar 23. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 16 in New South Memphis and as late as Mar 24 in Bristol.

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
NashvilleJan 21 – Feb 4Mar 4 – Mar 18
New South MemphisJan 5 – Jan 19Feb 16 – Mar 2
MemphisJan 5 – Jan 19Feb 16 – Mar 2
KnoxvilleJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 14 – Mar 28
ChattanoogaJan 13 – Jan 27Feb 24 – Mar 10
ClarksvilleJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20
MurfreesboroJan 29 – Feb 12Mar 12 – Mar 26
East ChattanoogaJan 13 – Jan 27Feb 24 – Mar 10
FranklinJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20
CordovaJan 18 – Feb 1Mar 1 – Mar 15
JacksonJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 5 – Mar 19
Johnson CityFeb 8 – Feb 22Mar 22 – Apr 5
BartlettJan 18 – Feb 1Mar 1 – Mar 15
HendersonvilleJan 31 – Feb 14Mar 14 – Mar 28
KingsportJan 29 – Feb 12Mar 12 – Mar 26
ColliervilleJan 18 – Feb 1Mar 1 – Mar 15
SmyrnaFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 16 – Mar 30
ClevelandJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 9 – Mar 23
BrentwoodFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1
GermantownJan 18 – Feb 1Mar 1 – Mar 15
HermitageJan 21 – Feb 4Mar 4 – Mar 18
ColumbiaJan 30 – Feb 13Mar 13 – Mar 27
Spring HillJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20
La VergneFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 16 – Mar 30
GallatinFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 19 – Apr 2
CookevilleFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 17 – Mar 31
Mount JulietJan 21 – Feb 4Mar 4 – Mar 18
LebanonJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 9 – Mar 23
MorristownJan 30 – Feb 13Mar 13 – Mar 27
Oak RidgeJan 25 – Feb 8Mar 8 – Mar 22

Showing the 30 most populous of 70 Tennessee cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Tennessee cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant onions in Tennessee?

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Jan 26 – Feb 9, then transplant outdoors Mar 9 – Mar 23. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 16 in New South Memphis and as late as Mar 24 in Bristol.

When is the last frost in Tennessee?

The average last spring frost in Tennessee ranges from March 16 in New South Memphis to April 21 in Bristol, 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 Tennessee

When to plant onions in other states

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