When to Plant Onions in Mississippi
In Mississippi, the time to plant onions outside runs from Jan 15 – Jan 29 in Biloxi to Mar 6 – Mar 20 in Oxford. In Jackson, it's Feb 6 – Feb 20. The average last spring frost differs by about 7 weeks across the state (Feb 12 in Biloxi, Apr 3 in Oxford), 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 Mississippi by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bay St. Louis | 9a | Nov 29 – Dec 13 | Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Biloxi | 9a | Nov 20 – Dec 4 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Brandon | 8b | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Brookhaven | 8b | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Byram | 8b | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Canton | 8b | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Clarksdale | 8b | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Clinton | 8b | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Columbus | 8b | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Corinth | 7b | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| D'Iberville | 9a | Nov 20 – Dec 4 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Flowood | 8b | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Gautier | 9a | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Greenville | 8b | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Greenwood | 8b | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 |
| Grenada | 8a | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Gulfport | 9a | Dec 1 – Dec 15 | Jan 26 – Feb 9 |
| Hattiesburg | 8b | Dec 13 – Dec 27 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Hernando | 8a | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Horn Lake | 8a | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Jackson | 8b | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Laurel | 8b | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 12 – Feb 26 |
| Long Beach | 9a | Nov 26 – Dec 10 | Jan 21 – Feb 4 |
| Madison | 8b | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| McComb | 8b | Dec 17 – Dec 31 | Feb 11 – Feb 25 |
| Meridian | 8b | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Moss Point | 9a | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Natchez | 8b | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Ocean Springs | 9a | Nov 20 – Dec 4 | Jan 15 – Jan 29 |
| Olive Branch | 8a | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Oxford | 7b | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Pascagoula | 9a | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Pearl | 8b | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 |
| Petal | 8b | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Picayune | 9a | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 |
| Ridgeland | 8b | Dec 12 – Dec 26 | Feb 6 – Feb 20 |
| Southaven | 8a | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 |
| Starkville | 8a | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Tupelo | 8a | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 |
| Vicksburg | 8b | Dec 4 – Dec 18 | Jan 29 – Feb 12 |
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 Mississippi, or the general guide to when to plant onions.
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