When to plant onion in Bakersfield
Onion is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Bakersfield's frost dates of Feb 3.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Nov 25 – Dec 16
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Feb 1 – Feb 22
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
May 2 – May 22
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
90 – 110 d
Bakersfield's 315-day season leaves this much room.
Onion on Bakersfield's growing year
Frost-bounded season with crops mapped onto the 12-month axis.
Frost risk Growing Harvest
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
FROST
FEB 3
DEC 8
Common questions
When will onion be ready to harvest in Bakersfield?
Expect to harvest from around early May (May 2–May 22) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When should I start onion seeds indoors in Bakersfield?
Start seeds indoors around late November (Nov 25–Dec 16) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When can I transplant onion outdoors in Bakersfield?
Transplant outdoors around early February (Feb 1–Feb 22) in Bakersfield, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
How long is the growing season in Bakersfield?
Bakersfield has roughly 315 frost-free days, which is enough time to grow onion to maturity outdoors.
The rule of thumb
Sow onion as soon as the soil is workable — it tolerates cool weather and light frost. Every date on this page is derived from that rule and Bakersfield's frost dates.
Confidence 86/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.