When to Plant Onions in North Carolina
In North Carolina, the time to plant onions outside runs from Feb 15 – Mar 1 in Goldsboro to Mar 19 – Apr 2 in Statesville. In Charlotte, it's Mar 2 – Mar 16. The average last spring frost differs by about 5 weeks across the state (Mar 15 in Goldsboro, Apr 16 in Statesville), 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 North Carolina by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apex | 8a | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Asheville | 7b | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Burlington | 8a | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Cary | 8a | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Chapel Hill | 8a | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Charlotte | 8a | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Clayton | 8a | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 |
| Concord | 8a | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Cornelius | 8a | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Durham | 8a | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 |
| Fayetteville | 8a | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Fuquay-Varina | 8a | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Garner | 8a | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Gastonia | 8a | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Goldsboro | 8b | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 |
| Greensboro | 8a | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Greenville | 8a | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Hickory | 8a | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| High Point | 8a | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Holly Springs | 8a | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Huntersville | 8a | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 |
| Indian Trail | 8a | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Jacksonville | 8b | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Kannapolis | 8a | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 |
| Leland | 8b | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Matthews | 8a | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Mint Hill | 8a | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Monroe | 8a | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 |
| Mooresville | 8a | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 |
| Morrisville | 8a | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| New Bern | 8b | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 |
| Raleigh | 8a | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Rocky Mount | 8a | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Salisbury | 8a | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 |
| Sanford | 8a | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 |
| Statesville | 8a | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Wake Forest | 8a | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Wilmington | 8b | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 |
| Wilson | 8a | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Winston-Salem | 8a | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 26 – Mar 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 North Carolina, or the general guide to when to plant onions.
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