Planting guide · zone 5b
When to plant onions in zone 5b
In zone 5b, the average last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost is Oct 8. Here is onions's whole year, counted from those dates.
Apr 10Plant 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.