When to plant onions in Richmond, Virginia

March 6 – March 20

Transplant outdoors · typical Richmond year

Climate basis: NOAA station Richmond INTL AP, VA (USW00013740), 7 mi (11 km) from downtown Richmond (ZCTA 23219 centroid), elevation 164 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Plant onion sets or transplants from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (April 3). One year in ten still freezes after April 18.

Last spring freezeApril 31-in-10 after Apr 18

First fall freezeNovember 41-in-10 before Oct 23

Frost-free season≈ 215 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Mar 22 – Nov 15kills even hardy greens

USDA zone7b5 to 10°F winter low — not frost timing

The Richmond year

Start seeds indoorsDec 26 – Jan 9

Transplant outdoorsMar 6 – Mar 20

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 18

Onions in Richmond · freeze context from Richmond INTL AP, VA, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Start seeds indoors

Dec 26 – Jan 9

Sow 8–10 weeks (UNH) to 10–12 weeks (Minnesota) before planting out; derived from the −4-week set-out date using the UNH lead time. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 3). University of New Hampshire Extension · University of Minnesota Extension

Transplant outdoors

Mar 6 – Mar 20

UNH: set out transplants (or sets) 4 weeks before the last frost; Purdue's hardy class allows 4–6 weeks before. The later UNH point is used, with a 14-day span. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Apr 3). University of New Hampshire Extension · Purdue University Extension

Variety assumption: Assumes storage-type bulb onions (about 100–115 days from sets; Penn State lists 105).

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (3)

University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet] (accessed 2026-07-24)
Per-crop 'time from seed to transplant' and 'safe to set out in garden' relative to last frost.
University of Minnesota Extension: Growing onions (accessed 2026-07-24)
"You can also raise your own transplants by starting seed indoors 10 to 12 weeks before planting outside."
Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.

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