Planting Guides

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

Memphis, Tennessee

USDA Zone 7b

Last Frost: Apr 5

Last updated: October 30, 2025

Plant onions in Memphis October-November for spring harvest or March-April for fall harvest. Zone 7b supports intermediate-day varieties.

MMarcus Washington

October 30, 2025

When to plant onions in Memphis Zone 7b garden with intermediate-day varieties — — Image © PlantReference.org 2026

Quick Answer

Plant intermediate-day onions in Memphis October-November for spring harvest. Allium cepa 'Candy' and Allium cepa 'Red Candy Apple' thrive in Zone 7b.

TL;DR

Plant intermediate-day onions in Memphis October-November for spring harvest or March-April for fall harvest. Zone 7b's 210-day growing season supports varieties like Allium cepa 'Candy' and Allium cepa 'Red Candy Apple'. Fall planting preferred for spring bulbs, while Allium sativum 'California Early' garlic plants October-November for July harvest.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to plant onions in Memphis?

The best time to plant onions in Memphis is October 15 - November 15 for fall planting or March 1 - April 1 for spring planting. Fall planting is preferred because it produces earlier harvests and avoids summer pest pressure. Use transplants or small sets for fall planting, as they establish better in cooling weather than seeds.

What type of onions grow best in Memphis Zone 7b?

Intermediate-day onion varieties grow best in Memphis Zone 7b. Varieties like Allium cepa 'Candy', Allium cepa 'Red Candy Apple', and Allium cepa 'Super Star' bulb perfectly when daylight reaches 12-14 hours in late spring. Avoid short-day varieties (which bulb too early) and long-day varieties (which may not bulb at our latitude).

Can I plant onion sets or should I use transplants in Memphis?

Both onion sets and transplants work well in Memphis, but choose carefully. For fall planting, use transplants or very small sets (smaller than a dime) to avoid bolting issues. Large sets are more likely to bolt when exposed to temperature fluctuations. Transplants give you better variety selection and more consistent results.

When do I harvest onions planted in Memphis?

Harvest timing depends on planting method: fall-planted onions harvest May 15 - June 30, while spring-planted onions harvest July 15 - September 15. Wait until 50-75% of the tops fall over naturally - this signals the bulbs have finished maturing. Don't bend the tops over manually, as this can reduce bulb size and storage life.

What garlic varieties work in Memphis Zone 7b?

Softneck garlic varieties like Allium sativum 'California Early' work best in Memphis Zone 7b. Plant cloves October 15 - November 30 for harvest in July. Softneck varieties require less winter chilling than hardneck types, making them ideal for our relatively mild winters. They also store longer (8-12 months) and can be braided.

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Tagged with

#planting-guide #onions #memphis #zone-7b #vegetable-gardening

Written By

Marcus Washington

Marcus manages the grounds at a historic property in Memphis and runs a side business doing residential garden design. He grew up helping his grandfather maintain a large vegetable garden in the Mississippi Delta and carried that knowledge into formal training—he has a degree in landscape technology. Memphis sits in a sweet spot for growing: long warm seasons, decent rainfall, and mild enough winters that many marginally hardy plants survive. Marcus writes about Southern gardening traditions, ornamental garden design, and dealing with the humidity and heavy rainfall that define the Mid-South climate.