When to plant onion in Newport News
Onion is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Newport News's frost dates of Mar 13.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Jan 2 – Jan 23
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Mar 3 – Mar 24
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jun 1 – Jun 21
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
90 – 110 d
Newport News's 262-day season leaves this much room.
Onion on Newport News'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
FROST
MAR 13
NOV 24
Common questions
When will onion be ready to harvest in Newport News?
Expect to harvest from around early June (Jun 1–Jun 21) in Newport News, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When should I start onion seeds indoors in Newport News?
Start seeds indoors around early January (Jan 2–Jan 23) in Newport News, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 82%.
When can I transplant onion outdoors in Newport News?
Transplant outdoors around early March (Mar 3–Mar 24) in Newport News, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 83%.
How long is the growing season in Newport News?
Newport News has roughly 262 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 Newport News's frost dates.
Confidence 86/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.