When to Plant Onions in Alabama
In Alabama, the time to plant onions outside runs from Jan 24 – Feb 7 in Mobile to Mar 7 – Mar 21 in Trussville. In Huntsville, it's Feb 24 – Mar 10. The average last spring frost differs by about 6 weeks across the state (Feb 21 in Mobile, Apr 4 in Trussville), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Onions are cold-hardy. Plant sets or transplants early so they grow leaves before long summer days trigger bulbing.
- Start indoors: 10–12 weeks before the last frost.
- Plant outside: 2–4 weeks before the last frost.
Onions planting dates in Alabama by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabaster | 8b | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Albertville | 8a | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Anniston | 8a | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Athens | 8a | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 |
| Auburn | 8b | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Bessemer | 8a | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Birmingham | 8a | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Calera | 8b | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Chelsea | 8b | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Cullman | 8a | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Daphne | 9a | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Decatur | 8a | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Dothan | 9a | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Enterprise | 8b | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Fairhope | 9a | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Florence | 8a | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Foley | 9a | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Gadsden | 8a | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Gulf Shores | 9a | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Helena | 8a | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Homewood | 8b | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Hoover | 8a | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Huntsville | 8a | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Madison | 8a | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 |
| Millbrook | 8b | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Mobile | 9a | Nov 29 – Dec 13 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Montgomery | 8b | Dec 10 – Dec 24 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Mountain Brook | 8b | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Muscle Shoals | 8a | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Northport | 8b | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Opelika | 8a | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Oxford | 8a | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Pelham | 8b | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Phenix City | 8b | Dec 11 – Dec 25 | Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Prattville | 8b | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Prichard | 9a | Dec 9 – Dec 23 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Troy | 8b | Dec 16 – Dec 30 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 |
| Trussville | 8a | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Tuscaloosa | 8b | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 |
| Vestavia Hills | 8b | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Alabama, or the general guide to when to plant onions.
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