When to plant onion in Pittsburgh
Onion is cold-hardy, so every date keys off Pittsburgh's frost dates of Apr 17.
Step 1 · Sow
Start seeds indoors
Feb 6 – Feb 27
Before your last frost, on a warm windowsill or heat mat.
Step 2 · Plant
Transplant outdoors
Apr 12 – May 3
Once frost risk has passed and nights stay mild.
Step 3 · Harvest
Harvest window
Jul 11 – Jul 31
Picking runs until conditions turn against the crop.
Window
Days to maturity
90 – 110 d
Pittsburgh's 188-day season leaves this much room.
Onion on Pittsburgh'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
APR 17
OCT 25
Common questions
When will onion be ready to harvest in Pittsburgh?
Expect to harvest from around mid July (Jul 11–Jul 31) in Pittsburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 73%.
When should I start onion seeds indoors in Pittsburgh?
Start seeds indoors around early February (Feb 6–Feb 27) in Pittsburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 77%.
When can I transplant onion outdoors in Pittsburgh?
Transplant outdoors around mid April (Apr 12–May 3) in Pittsburgh, based on its local frost dates. Confidence 79%.
How long is the growing season in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh has roughly 188 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 Pittsburgh's frost dates.
Confidence 81/100 · Curated · based on NOAA GHCN-Daily 1991–2020 normal · frost dates are probabilities, not guarantees.