When to plant Onions in California

In spring, from Jan 1 – 15 in Agoura Hills to May 10 – June 10 in Truckee.

In fall, from Sept 1 – Oct 15 in Adelanto to Oct 1 – Dec 31 in Yucca Valley.

Dates are for setting out plants. USDA's earliest safe spring and latest safe fall planting dates, matched to each place's average frost dates.

Onion plants planting dates by place in California
PlaceSpringFall
AdelantoFeb 10 – Mar 10Sept 1 – Oct 15
Agoura HillsJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Alameda—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Albany—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Alhambra—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Aliso Viejo—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
American CanyonJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Anaheim—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
AndersonJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Antioch—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Apple ValleyFeb 10 – Mar 10Sept 1 – Oct 15
Arcadia—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
ArcataJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Arroyo GrandeJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Artesia—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
ArvinJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
AtascaderoJan 15 – Feb 15Sept 1 – Oct 15
AtwaterJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
AuburnJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
AvenalJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Azusa—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
BakersfieldJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Baldwin Park—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
BanningJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
BarstowJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
BeaumontJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Bell——
Bell Gardens——
Bellflower——
BelmontJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
BeniciaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Berkeley—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Beverly Hills——
BlytheJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
BrawleyJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Brea—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Brentwood—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Buena Park——
Burbank—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Burlingame—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
CalabasasJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Calexico—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
California CityJan 15 – Feb 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
CalimesaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Camarillo—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
CampbellJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Canyon LakeJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
CarlsbadJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Carpinteria——
Carson——
Cathedral City——
CeresJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Cerritos—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
ChicoJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
ChinoJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Chino HillsJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
ChowchillaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Chula Vista—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Citrus Heights—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Claremont—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
ClaytonJan 15 – Feb 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
ClearlakeMar 1 – Apr 1Sept 1 – Oct 15
Clovis—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Coachella—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
CoalingaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Colton—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Commerce——
Compton——
Concord—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
CorcoranJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
CoronaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Coronado——
Corte MaderaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Costa Mesa——
Covina—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Cudahy——
Culver City——
Cupertino—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Cypress——
Daly City—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Dana Point—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
DanvilleJan 15 – Feb 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
DavisJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
DelanoJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Desert Hot SpringsJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Diamond Bar—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
DinubaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
DixonJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Downey——
DuarteApr 1 – May 1Sept 1 – Oct 15
DublinJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
East Palo AltoJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
EastvaleJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
El Cajon—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
El Centro—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
El Cerrito—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
El Monte—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)Jan 15 – Feb 15Sept 1 – Oct 15
El Segundo——
Elk GroveJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Emeryville—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Encinitas—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Escondido—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
EurekaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
ExeterJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
FairfieldJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
FarmersvilleJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Fillmore—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Folsom—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Fontana—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
FortunaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Foster CityJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Fountain Valley——
Fremont—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Fresno—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Fullerton——
GaltJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Garden Grove——
Gardena——
GilroyJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Glendale—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Glendora—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Goleta—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Grand Terrace—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Grass ValleyMar 1 – Apr 1Sept 1 – Oct 15
GreenfieldJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Grover BeachJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Half Moon BayJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
HanfordJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Hawaiian Gardens——
Hawthorne——
Hayward—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
HealdsburgJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
HemetJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
HerculesJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Hermosa Beach——
HesperiaJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
HighlandJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Hillsborough—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
HollisterJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Huntington Beach——
Huntington Park——
Imperial—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Imperial Beach—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Indio—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Inglewood——
Irvine—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Jurupa Valley—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
KermanJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
King CityJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
KingsburgJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
La Cañada Flintridge——
La Habra—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
La Mesa—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
La Mirada—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
La Palma——
La Puente—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
La Quinta—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
La Verne—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Lafayette—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Laguna Beach—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Laguna Hills—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Laguna Niguel—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Laguna Woods—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Lake ElsinoreJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Lake Forest—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Lakewood——
LancasterFeb 15 – Mar 15Not listed
LarkspurJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
LathropJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Lawndale——
Lemon Grove—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
LemooreJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
LincolnJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
LindsayJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
LivermoreJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Livingston—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
LodiJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Loma LindaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Lomita——
LompocJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Long Beach——
Los Alamitos——
Los Altos—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Los Angeles——
Los BanosJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Los GatosJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Lynwood——
MaderaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Malibu——
Manhattan Beach——
MantecaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
MarinaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
MartinezJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
MarysvilleJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Maywood——
McFarlandJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
MendotaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
MenifeeJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Menlo ParkJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
MercedJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Mill ValleyJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Millbrae—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Milpitas—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Mission Viejo—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
ModestoJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
MonroviaApr 1 – May 1Sept 1 – Oct 15
Montclair—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Montebello—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Monterey—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Monterey Park—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Moorpark—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Moraga—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Moreno ValleyJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Morgan HillJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Morro BayJan 1 – 15—
Mountain View—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
MurrietaJan 1 – 15—
NapaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
National City——
Newark—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
NewmanJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Newport Beach——
NorcoJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Norwalk—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Novato—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
OakdaleJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Oakland—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Oakley—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
OceansideJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Ontario—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Orange——
Orinda—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
OrovilleJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Oxnard—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Pacific Grove—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Pacifica——
Palm Desert—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Palm Springs—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
PalmdaleJan 15 – Feb 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Palo AltoJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Palos Verdes Estates——
Paramount——
ParlierJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Pasadena——
PattersonJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
PerrisJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
PetalumaJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Pico Rivera—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Piedmont—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Pinole—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Pittsburg—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Placentia—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
PlacervilleFeb 15 – Mar 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Pleasant Hill—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
PleasantonJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Pomona—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Port Hueneme—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
PortervilleJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Poway—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Rancho Cordova—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Rancho Cucamonga—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Rancho Mirage——
Rancho Palos Verdes——
Rancho Santa Margarita—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Red BluffJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
ReddingJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
RedlandsJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Redondo Beach——
Redwood CityJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
ReedleyJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Rialto—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Richmond—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
RidgecrestJan 15 – Feb 15Sept 1 – Oct 15
Rio Vista—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
RiponJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
RiverbankJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Riverside—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
RocklinJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Rohnert ParkJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Rosemead—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
RosevilleJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Sacramento—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
SalinasJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San Anselmo—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San BernardinoJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San Bruno——
San Buenaventura (Ventura)—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San CarlosJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San Clemente—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San Diego——
San Dimas—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San Fernando—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San Francisco—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San Gabriel—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San JacintoJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San Jose—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San Juan Capistrano—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San Leandro—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San Luis ObispoJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San Marcos—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San Marino——
San Mateo—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San Pablo—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San Rafael—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
San RamonJan 15 – Feb 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
SangerJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Santa Ana——
Santa Barbara——
Santa Clara—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Santa Clarita—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Santa CruzJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Santa Fe Springs—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Santa MariaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Santa Monica——
Santa Paula—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Santa RosaJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Santee—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
SaratogaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Scotts ValleyFeb 10 – Mar 10Sept 1 – Oct 15
Seal Beach——
Seaside—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
SelmaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
ShafterJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Shasta LakeJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Sierra MadreApr 1 – May 1Sept 1 – Oct 15
Signal Hill——
Simi ValleyJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Solana Beach—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
SoledadMar 15 – Apr 10Not listed
SonomaJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
South El Monte—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
South Gate——
South Lake TahoeMay 10 – June 10Spring-planted
South Pasadena——
South San Francisco—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Stanton——
StocktonJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Suisun CityJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Sunnyvale—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
SusanvilleApr 20 – May 15Spring-planted
TehachapiApr 1 – May 1Not listed
TemeculaJan 1 – 15—
Temple City—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Thousand Oaks—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Torrance——
TracyJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
TruckeeMay 10 – June 10Spring-planted
TulareJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Turlock—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Tustin—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Twentynine PalmsJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
UkiahFeb 10 – Mar 10Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Union City—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Upland—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
VacavilleJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
VallejoJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
VictorvilleFeb 10 – Mar 10Sept 1 – Oct 15
VisaliaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
VistaJan 1 – 15—
Walnut—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Walnut Creek—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
WascoJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
WatsonvilleJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
West Covina—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
West Hollywood——
West SacramentoJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Westminster——
Whittier—Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
WildomarJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
WindsorJan 1 – Feb 1Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
WoodlandJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Yorba LindaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Yuba CityJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
YucaipaJan 1 – 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now
Yucca ValleyJan 15 – Feb 15Oct 1 – Dec 31Now

Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), tables 4 and 5. Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. “—” means the place's frost date is outside the table. The full USDA table for onion plants.