Planting guide · zone 5a
When to plant onions in zone 5a
In zone 5a, the average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is Oct 1. Here is onions's whole year, counted from those dates.
Apr 17Plant sets or startsSpring
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Soil & site
Fertile and ruthlessly weed-free — onions lose to weeds every time.
Seedling care
Sets are the easy path. In the South, choose short-day or intermediate-day varieties; day length is what triggers bulbing.
Growing notes
Variety choice matters more than anything else you do. Steady water; ease off as tops start to fall.
Harvest
When tops flop over on their own, pull and cure in an airy, shaded spot for 2–3 weeks before storing.