Garden Tempo

Alabama, U.S. · outdoor planting

When to plant onions in Alabama

For onions in Alabama, start with the North or South Alabama range: Use the Alabama chart for material-specific timing in the north and Use the Alabama chart for material-specific timing in the south. Then check the season, planting material and current garden conditions before planting.

Choose the Alabama regional window
Start with
Choose sets, seeds or transplants deliberately
The planting material changes the schedule and harvest goal. Use the state calendar rather than one universal onion date.
Regional model
North and South Alabama
Choose the model before reading a date.
Final check
Soil and current weather
The planning range does not guarantee one exact day.

Choose geography before a date

Regional planting windows

Alabama Extension separates North and South dates; its Central Alabama chart is a planning baseline, not a substitute for a county forecast.

North · spring

Use the Alabama chart for material-specific timing

Alabama Extension outdoor planting range

South · spring

Use the Alabama chart for material-specific timing

Alabama Extension outdoor planting range

North · fall

Use the Alabama chart for material-specific timing

Alabama Extension outdoor planting range

South · fall

Use the Alabama chart for material-specific timing

Alabama Extension outdoor planting range

The calendar is the first filter

Plant only when the crop is ready

A range can be correct for the region and still be unsuitable for today. Check the crop and the garden before committing seed or plants.

  • The chosen material matches the calendar entry.
  • The bed drains and can be kept weed-free while plants establish.
  • The variety and day length fit the local recommendation.

Method changes the timing

How to start onions

The planting material changes the schedule and harvest goal. Use the state calendar rather than one universal onion date.

Locate your regional model

Alabama Extension separates North and South dates; its Central Alabama chart is a planning baseline, not a substitute for a county forecast.

Match the onions method

The planting material changes the schedule and harvest goal. Use the state calendar rather than one universal onion date.

Make the weather decision

A published window is a planning range. Wait when soil condition, moisture, heat or cold makes establishment unsafe.

When the simple answer breaks

Early and late decisions

The useful answer is an action when weather or the remaining season no longer fits the headline range.

The season is early

Use the protective edge of the range

Planting at the first possible date is reasonable only when the crop and forecast support it; a calendar is not a command.

The season is late

Count maturity before committing

Check the variety’s days to harvest and leave a margin for establishment. Do not merge bulb and green-onion timing into one answer; they have different planting material and finish goals.

Why this answer is shaped this way

Why Alabama needs a regional answer

Alabama Extension separates North and South dates; its Central Alabama chart is a planning baseline, not a substitute for a county forecast. Do not merge bulb and green-onion timing into one answer; they have different planting material and finish goals.