Maine · zones 3b6a

When to plant onions in Maine.

Sow or transplant between Feb 28 to Apr 13 in a typical year, keyed to Maine's median last frost around May 8. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.

The 2026 windows

Onions dates for a typical Maine season.

1 · Start indoors

Jan 17 to Mar 2

About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.

2 · Set out

Feb 28 to Apr 13

Keyed to the ~May 8 last frost. Sow 0.5" deep, 4" apart.

Harvest

~95 days later

~0.5 lb per plant over ~1 weeks.

Maine spans more than one climate: Zone 5 is the most common zone, but the state runs 3b to 6a. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.