Planting Guides

When to Plant Onions in Charlotte: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 7b

Charlotte, North Carolina

USDA Zone 7b

Last Frost: Apr 5

Last updated: October 30, 2025

Learn when to plant onions in Charlotte with specific dates for Zone 7b. Compare 6 varieties, get a complete timeline, and discover which onions grow best.

SSophie Laurent

October 30, 2025

When to plant onions in Charlotte Zone 7b garden with bulbing varieties — — Image © PlantReference.org 2026

Quick Answer

Plant onions in Charlotte March 15-April 15 for summer harvest or September 15-October 15 for spring harvest. Choose intermediate-day varieties like Allium cepa 'Candy' for Charlotte's Zone 7b climate.

TL;DR

Charlotte onion success requires planting intermediate-day varieties in March-April for summer harvest or September-October for spring harvest. Choose Allium cepa 'Candy' and Allium cepa 'Red Candy Apple' for Charlotte's Zone 7b climate. Plant garlic cloves in late October for July harvest.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to plant onions in Charlotte?

The optimal planting window in Charlotte is March 15-April 15 for spring planting or September 15-October 15 for fall planting. Spring plantings work well for summer harvest, while fall plantings often produce larger bulbs for early summer harvest. Choose intermediate-day varieties that respond to Charlotte's 14-hour maximum day length.

What onion varieties grow best in Charlotte's Zone 7b climate?

Allium cepa 'Candy'} and Allium cepa 'Red Candy Apple'} are the most reliable varieties for Charlotte gardeners. These intermediate-day hybrids adapt perfectly to Charlotte's latitude and climate. For storage, try Allium cepa 'Super Star'} which keeps 8-10 months when properly cured.

Can I grow garlic in Charlotte, North Carolina?

Yes, both hardneck and softneck garlic grow well in Charlotte's Zone 7b climate. Plant Allium sativum 'Music'} hardneck garlic in late October or Allium sativum 'California Early'} softneck garlic in November. Charlotte provides adequate winter chilling for proper bulb development.

Should I plant onion sets or transplants in Charlotte?

Transplants often work better in Charlotte's transitional climate because they're less prone to bolting than large sets. For spring planting, use transplants or small sets (smaller than a dime). For fall planting, transplants are strongly recommended as they establish better in cooling weather.

How do I know when onions are ready to harvest in Charlotte?

Harvest when 50-75% of the tops fall over naturally, typically in July for spring plantings and May-June for fall plantings. Don't manually bend the tops over as this reduces storage life. The bulbs should feel firm and have papery outer scales developing.

NEW PLANT DAILY

Think you know your plants?

Test your botanical knowledge with a new plant identification challenge every day. Build your streak, learn fascinating plant facts, and become a plant identification expert!

Build your streak

One chance per day

Learn as you play

Free account required • Takes less than 30 seconds

Tagged with

#when to plant onions charlotte #Charlotte gardening #Zone 7b onions #North Carolina vegetables #intermediate-day onions #fall planting onions #spring onion planting #garlic planting charlotte #onion varieties zone 7b #Charlotte vegetable gardening

Written By

Sophie Laurent

Sophie is a garden designer in Charlotte who came to the U.S. from France about a decade ago. Her design sensibility blends the structured formality of French garden traditions with the looser, more naturalistic style that works well in the Southeast. She has a degree in landscape architecture and worked at several design firms in Charlotte before going independent. She specializes in year-round garden structure, mixed borders, and creating outdoor spaces that feel intentional without being rigid. Sophie writes about garden design principles, plant combinations, and creating visual interest across seasons—always grounded in what actually grows well in the Piedmont.