When to Plant Onions in Georgia
Published: April 21, 2026
Georgia gardeners in Zone 7b have a 38-week growing season for onion (March 1 to November 22). Georgia's spring and fall windows both work well for onion — some gardeners plant both successions for a long harvest. This guide gives exact dates for Georgia based on your local frost calendar.
Onion Planting Dates for Georgia
| Start seeds indoors | December 21–28 |
| Last frost (average) | March 1 |
| Transplant outdoors | February 1–11 |
| Direct sow outdoors | February 1–11 |
| Expect first harvest | May 2 – June 1 |
| First fall frost (average) | November 22 |
Dates above assume Zone 7b, the most common zone in Georgia. Gardeners in cooler Atlanta (Zone 7b) plant 1–2 weeks later; warmer Savannah (Zone 9a) can plant 1–2 weeks earlier.
⚠ CRITICAL: Choose variety based on your latitude. Short-day varieties for south of 35°N (Texas, Florida, California). Long-day varieties for north of 35°N (Ohio, Minnesota, New York). Intermediate varieties work in the middle band.
Growing Onions in Georgia's Climate
Georgia's moderate Zone 7b climate is well-suited to onion with minimal special accommodation. The standard transplant calendar works as written, and harvest windows line up with what seed packets recommend without adjustment.
Succession planting extends your onion harvest significantly in Georgia. A second planting 3 to 4 weeks after the first gives you a backup in case of pest pressure and extends the total harvest window into early fall.
Common onion pests to watch for in Georgia include Onion Thrips and Onion Maggot. The first line of defense is companion planting: Carrot and Tomato planted nearby discourage several of these pests by confusing host-plant identification or repelling adults before they can lay eggs. Weekly garden walks in the early morning catch problems when they're still manageable.
Onion Garden Calendar for Georgia
| Month | Task | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | Dormant season |
| February | Transplant outdoors | Soil temp must be 35°F+; nighttime lows above 50°F |
| March | Harden off seedlings | Set seedlings outdoors 1–2 hours daily, increasing gradually |
| April | — | Dormant season |
| May | Watch for bolting | Harvest promptly; spring heat arrives quickly |
| June ← | — | Dormant season |
| July | — | Dormant season |
| August | — | Dormant season |
| September | — | Dormant season |
| October | — | Dormant season |
| November | First frost approaches | Harvest remaining onion; cover plants on frost nights |
| December | Start seeds indoors | Use grow lights; warm soil to 70–75°F for best germination |
Onion Growing Tips for Georgia Gardeners
- •Match variety to latitude: short-day south of 35°N, long-day north of 35°N, intermediate in between.
- •Growing from sets (small bulbs) is fastest; growing from transplants gives the most variety options.
- •Georgia's moderate climate supports succession planting — sow new transplants or seeds every 3 weeks during spring to extend the harvest window into fall.
- •Reduce watering as tops begin to fall over — dry conditions encourage tight, firm bulbs that store longer.
Companion Planting for Onions in Georgia
In Georgia's moderate climate, planting onion with Carrot and Tomato helps deter pests and improve soil. Avoid planting near Bean and Pea, which inhibit onion growth through root chemistry or shared pest pressure. See the full onion companion planting guide for the complete list.
Onions Planting Dates by City in Georgia
Top cities in Georgia — select for city-level frost dates and planting calendars.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant onion in Georgia?
In Georgia (Zone 7b), start onion seeds indoors around December 21–28 and transplant outdoors around February 1–11 — 4 weeks before the state's average last frost of March 1.
What is the last frost date in Georgia?
Georgia's average last frost date is March 1 in the state's most common Zone 7b. Frost dates vary by city — higher elevations and northern counties run 1 to 3 weeks later than the state average. See the city list below for city-level frost dates.
Can I grow onion year-round in Georgia?
onion is a cool-season crop in Georgia, with spring and fall windows. Summer heat bolts the plants before they can produce a harvestable crop. Succession planting every 2–3 weeks stretches the harvest window.
What onion varieties grow best in Georgia?
For Georgia's Zone 7b, Intermediate-day varieties (Candy, Super Star) work best in the 35–38°N band.
When do I start onion seeds indoors in Georgia?
Start onion seeds indoors in Georgia around December 21–28, which is 10 weeks before the state's average last frost of March 1. Use grow lights and keep soil temperatures at 70–75°F for fastest germination.