When to Plant Onions in Vermont
In a typical Vermont location, start seeds indoors Feb 28 – Mar 14, then transplant outdoors Apr 11 – Apr 25. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 1 in Burlington and as late as Apr 22 in Morristown.
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
| City | Start indoors | Transplant |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| South Burlington | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Colchester | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Rutland | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Essex Junction | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Hartford | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Bennington | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Barre | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Williston | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Montpelier | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| St Johnsbury | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Brattleboro | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Winooski | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Saint Albans | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Middlebury (village) | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Saint Johnsbury | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Morristown | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Lyndon | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 |
| Rockingham | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 |
| Newport | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
Showing the 20 most populous of 20 Vermont cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Vermont cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant onions in Vermont?
In a typical Vermont location, start seeds indoors Feb 28 – Mar 14, then transplant outdoors Apr 11 – Apr 25. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 1 in Burlington and as late as Apr 22 in Morristown.
When is the last frost in Vermont?
The average last spring frost in Vermont ranges from April 29 in Burlington to May 20 in Morristown, 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 Vermont
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Winter Squash
- Pumpkins
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Corn
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Arugula
- Swiss Chard
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Dill
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Nasturtiums
- Dahlias
When to plant onions in other states