FrostCal

When to Plant Onions in Virginia

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Jan 31 – Feb 14, then transplant outdoors Mar 14 – Mar 28. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 16 in Newport News and as late as Mar 29 in Radford.

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
Virginia BeachJan 18 – Feb 1Mar 1 – Mar 15
NorfolkJan 12 – Jan 26Feb 23 – Mar 9
ChesapeakeJan 12 – Jan 26Feb 23 – Mar 9
RichmondJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20
ArlingtonJan 29 – Feb 12Mar 12 – Mar 26
Newport NewsJan 5 – Jan 19Feb 16 – Mar 2
AlexandriaJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20
East HamptonJan 13 – Jan 27Feb 24 – Mar 10
HamptonJan 13 – Jan 27Feb 24 – Mar 10
RoanokeJan 23 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20
Portsmouth HeightsJan 12 – Jan 26Feb 23 – Mar 9
PortsmouthJan 12 – Jan 26Feb 23 – Mar 9
SuffolkJan 16 – Jan 30Feb 27 – Mar 13
South SuffolkJan 16 – Jan 30Feb 27 – Mar 13
LynchburgFeb 6 – Feb 20Mar 20 – Apr 3
CentrevilleFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 18 – Apr 1
Dale CityJan 17 – Jan 31Feb 28 – Mar 14
West LynchburgFeb 6 – Feb 20Mar 20 – Apr 3
RestonFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 17 – Mar 31
HarrisonburgFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 24 – Apr 7
LeesburgFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 19 – Apr 2
McLeanJan 29 – Feb 12Mar 12 – Mar 26
CharlottesvilleJan 25 – Feb 8Mar 8 – Mar 22
TuckahoeJan 30 – Feb 13Mar 13 – Mar 27
BlacksburgFeb 13 – Feb 27Mar 27 – Apr 10
AshburnFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 16 – Mar 30
DanvilleJan 28 – Feb 11Mar 11 – Mar 25
ManassasFeb 1 – Feb 15Mar 15 – Mar 29
Lake RidgeFeb 1 – Feb 15Mar 15 – Mar 29
BurkeFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 17 – Mar 31

Showing the 30 most populous of 118 Virginia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Virginia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant onions in Virginia?

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Jan 31 – Feb 14, then transplant outdoors Mar 14 – Mar 28. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 16 in Newport News and as late as Mar 29 in Radford.

When is the last frost in Virginia?

The average last spring frost in Virginia ranges from March 16 in Newport News to April 26 in Radford, 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 Virginia

When to plant onions in other states

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