When to Plant Onions in West Virginia
In West Virginia, the time to plant onions outside runs from Mar 15 – Mar 29 in Huntington to Apr 8 – Apr 22 in Beckley. In Charleston, it's Mar 19 – Apr 2. The average last spring frost differs by about 3 weeks across the state (Apr 12 in Huntington, May 6 in Beckley), 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 West Virginia by city
| City | Zone | Start indoors | Plant outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beckley | 6b | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Bluefield | 7a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Bridgeport | 6b | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Buckhannon | 6b | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Charles Town | 7a | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Charleston | 7a | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| Clarksburg | 6b | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Dunbar | 7a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Elkins | 6a | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 |
| Fairmont | 6b | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Huntington | 7a | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Hurricane | 7a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Martinsburg | 7a | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Morgantown | 7a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Moundsville | 6b | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| New Martinsville | 6b | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Nitro | 7a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Oak Hill | 6b | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Parkersburg | 6b | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Princeton | 7a | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Ranson | 7a | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| South Charleston | 7a | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| St. Albans | 7a | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Vienna | 6b | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Weirton | 6b | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Wheeling | 6b | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
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 West Virginia, or the general guide to when to plant onions.
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