When to Plant Onions in West Virginia

In a typical West Virginia location, start seeds indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23, then transplant outdoors Mar 23 – Apr 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 15 in Huntington and as late as Apr 8 in Beckley.

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
HuntingtonFeb 1 – Feb 15Mar 15 – Mar 29
CharlestonFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 19 – Apr 2
ParkersburgFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 17 – Mar 31
MorgantownFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12
WheelingFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6
Weirton HeightsFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15
WeirtonFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15
FairmontFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 21 – Apr 4
MartinsburgFeb 6 – Feb 20Mar 20 – Apr 3
BeckleyFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22
ClarksburgFeb 11 – Feb 25Mar 25 – Apr 8
Teays ValleyFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 21 – Apr 4
South CharlestonFeb 12 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9
Saint AlbansFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 21 – Apr 4
ViennaFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 17 – Mar 31
BluefieldFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16
Cross LanesFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 21 – Apr 4
MoundsvilleFeb 15 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12
BridgeportFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 21 – Apr 4
Oak HillFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 24 – Apr 7

Showing the 20 most populous of 20 West Virginia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all West Virginia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant onions in West Virginia?

In a typical West Virginia location, start seeds indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23, then transplant outdoors Mar 23 – Apr 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 15 in Huntington and as late as Apr 8 in Beckley.

When is the last frost in West Virginia?

The average last spring frost in West Virginia ranges from April 12 in Huntington to May 6 in Beckley, 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 West Virginia

When to plant onions in other states

Related Guides