When to Plant Onions in New York
The backbone of the kitchen garden. Choose short-day, intermediate, or long-day varieties based on your latitude.
The Short Answer
New York Frost Dates
Your planting dates depend on which part of New York you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:
| Region | Zones | Last Frost (Spring) | First Frost (Fall) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adirondacks | 3b, 4a, 4b | May 20 - Jun 5 | Sep 5 - Sep 20 |
| Capital Region/Hudson Valley | 5a, 5b, 6a | May 1 - May 15 | Sep 25 - Oct 10 |
| New York City/Long Island | 7a, 7b | Apr 5 - Apr 20 | Oct 20 - Nov 10 |
| Western New York | 5b, 6a | May 1 - May 15 | Sep 25 - Oct 10 |
Onions Planting Schedule for New York
Adirondacks (Zones 3b, 4a, 4b)
Average last frost: May 20 - Jun 5 · Average first frost: Sep 5 - Sep 20
Capital Region/Hudson Valley (Zones 5a, 5b, 6a)
Average last frost: May 1 - May 15 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10
New York City/Long Island (Zones 7a, 7b)
Average last frost: Apr 5 - Apr 20 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 10
Western New York (Zones 5b, 6a)
Average last frost: May 1 - May 15 · Average first frost: Sep 25 - Oct 10
Growing Onions in New York
Onions in New York's Climate
Long-day onions are your type. Plant sets or transplants as soon as ground can be worked in spring. For the largest bulbs, start from seed indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost. Your June day length (15+ hours) triggers proper bulbing. Cure in a warm, dry location for 2-3 weeks before storage.
Soil Considerations for New York
Diverse soils. Rich agricultural land in western NY and Hudson Valley. Rocky in Adirondacks. Clay in some areas. Loose, well-drained soil is especially important for onions since the edible portion grows underground. If your soil is heavy clay, consider raised beds.
New York Climate & Growing Season
Wide climate variation. NYC has mild winters. Adirondacks have very short seasons. Lake effect modifies weather near Great Lakes. Onions can handle frost well, which is an advantage in New York's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.
Growing season length varies across New York: Adirondacks (3b, 4a, 4b) has a last frost around May 20 - Jun 5, while Western New York (5b, 6a) sees frost end around May 1 - May 15. This difference matters for onions — but onions handle frost well, so the timing difference is less critical.
Growing Tips
Day length triggers bulbing. Northern gardeners need long-day varieties. Southern gardeners need short-day varieties.
Companion Planting
Plant onions alongside these companions for better growth:
Keep onions away from:
The Bottom Line
Last reviewed: March 29, 2026