When to Plant Onions in New Jersey
In New Jersey, the time to plant onions outside runs from Feb 26 – Mar 12 in Atlantic City to Mar 28 – Apr 11 in Princeton. In Newark, it's Mar 7 – Mar 21. The average last spring frost differs by about 4 weeks across the state (Mar 26 in Atlantic City, Apr 25 in Princeton), 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 New Jersey by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | 8a | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 |
| Bayonne | 7b | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Bergenfield | 7b | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Bridgeton | 7b | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Camden | 7b | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Carteret | 7b | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Cliffside Park | 7b | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Clifton | 7a | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| East Orange | 7a | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Elizabeth | 7b | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Englewood | 7b | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Fair Lawn | 7a | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Fort Lee | 7b | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Garfield | 7b | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Glassboro | 7b | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 |
| Hackensack | 7b | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Hoboken | 7b | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Jersey City | 7b | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Kearny | 7b | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Linden | 7b | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Lodi | 7b | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Long Branch | 7b | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Millville | 7a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| New Brunswick | 7a | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Newark | 7b | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Paramus | 7a | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Passaic | 7b | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Paterson | 7a | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Perth Amboy | 7b | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Plainfield | 7a | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Princeton | 7a | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Rahway | 7b | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Ridgewood | 7a | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| Sayreville | 7a | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 |
| South Plainfield | 7a | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Trenton | 7a | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Union City | 7b | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Vineland | 7a | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| West New York | 7b | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Westfield | 7a | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
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 New Jersey, or the general guide to when to plant onions.
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