When to Plant Onions in Louisiana
In Louisiana, the time to plant onions outside runs from Dec 25 – Jan 8 in New Orleans to Feb 17 – Mar 3 in Minden. In New Orleans, it's Dec 25 – Jan 8. The average last spring frost differs by about 8 weeks across the state (Jan 22 in New Orleans, Mar 17 in Minden), 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 Louisiana by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeville | 9a | Nov 25 – Dec 9 | Jan 20 – Feb 3 |
| Alexandria | 9a | Dec 5 – Dec 19 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Baker | 9a | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 |
| Baton Rouge | 9a | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Bogalusa | 9a | Dec 8 – Dec 22 | Feb 2 – Feb 16 |
| Bossier City | 8b | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Broussard | 9a | Nov 21 – Dec 5 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 |
| Carencro | 9a | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Central | 9a | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 |
| Covington | 9a | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Crowley | 9a | Nov 28 – Dec 12 | Jan 23 – Feb 6 |
| DeRidder | 9a | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Denham Springs | 9a | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 |
| Eunice | 9a | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Gonzales | 9a | Nov 29 – Dec 13 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Gretna | 9b | Nov 9 – Nov 23 | Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Hammond | 9a | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Houma | 9b | Nov 13 – Nov 27 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Jennings | 9a | Nov 27 – Dec 11 | Jan 22 – Feb 5 |
| Kenner | 9b | Nov 7 – Nov 21 | Jan 2 – Jan 16 |
| Lafayette | 9a | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Lake Charles | 9a | Nov 22 – Dec 6 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 |
| Mandeville | 9a | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Minden | 8b | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Monroe | 8b | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Morgan City | 9b | Nov 7 – Nov 21 | Jan 2 – Jan 16 |
| Natchitoches | 9a | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| New Iberia | 9b | Nov 18 – Dec 2 | Jan 13 – Jan 27 |
| New Orleans | 9b | Oct 30 – Nov 13 | Dec 25 – Jan 8 |
| Opelousas | 9a | Dec 6 – Dec 20 | Jan 31 – Feb 14 |
| Pineville | 9a | Dec 5 – Dec 19 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Ruston | 8b | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Scott | 9a | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
| Shreveport | 8b | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Slidell | 9a | Dec 2 – Dec 16 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Sulphur | 9a | Nov 22 – Dec 6 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 |
| Thibodaux | 9b | Nov 13 – Nov 27 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| West Monroe | 8b | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Youngsville | 9a | Nov 27 – Dec 11 | Jan 22 – Feb 5 |
| Zachary | 9a | Dec 3 – Dec 17 | Jan 28 – Feb 11 |
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 Louisiana, or the general guide to when to plant onions.
Getting beds ready? Work out how much raised bed soil, compost or mulch you need with our sister site, Yard Coverage.