Planting Guides

When to Plant Onions in Nashville: Complete Guide + Best Varieties for Zone 7a

Nashville, Tennessee

USDA Zone 7a

Last Frost: Apr 10

Last updated: October 30, 2025

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

MMarcus Washington

October 30, 2025

Thriving onion and garlic plants in Nashville Zone 7a garden with proper spacing and mulch protection — — Image © PlantReference.org 2026

Quick Answer

Plant intermediate-day onions March 15-April 15 or fall plant September 15-October 15. Plant garlic cloves October 15-November 15.

TL;DR

Plant intermediate-day onions in Nashville from March 15-April 15 for summer harvest or September 15-October 15 for early summer harvest. Choose varieties like Allium cepa 'Candy' and Allium cepa 'Super Star' that work perfectly in Tennessee's Zone 7a climate. Plant garlic cloves between October 15-November 15 for July harvest.

Frequently Asked Questions

When exactly should I plant onions in Nashville?

Plant onion sets and transplants between March 15-April 15 for summer harvest. For fall planting and early summer harvest, plant September 15-October 15. The optimal spring planting window is March 20-30, about 2-3 weeks before Nashville's average last frost date of April 9.

What onion varieties grow best in Nashville's climate?

Intermediate-day varieties work best in Nashville's Zone 7a climate. Allium cepa 'Candy', Allium cepa 'Super Star', and Allium cepa 'Red Candy Apple' are excellent choices. Avoid long-day varieties meant for northern climates and short-day varieties meant for the deep South.

Can I grow garlic in Nashville?

Yes, Nashville's Zone 7a climate is excellent for garlic. Plant Allium sativum 'California Early' (softneck) or Allium sativum 'Music' (hardneck) between October 15-November 15. Garlic needs 4-6 weeks of cold exposure before ground freezes to develop properly segmented bulbs.

Should I plant onion sets or transplants in Nashville?

Transplants are generally better for Nashville gardeners. They offer better variety selection and are less prone to bolting than large sets. If using sets, choose ones smaller than a dime. Large sets often bolt during Nashville's variable spring weather.

How do I deal with Nashville's clay soil for onions?

Amend heavy clay soil with 2-3 inches of compost and coarse sand. Consider building raised beds 6-8 inches high for better drainage. Onions need well-draining soil and will rot in waterlogged clay. Work the soil 8-10 inches deep before planting.

When do I harvest onions planted in Nashville?

Spring-planted onions are ready for harvest in mid-July through August when 50-75% of tops have fallen over naturally. Never force tops to fall over. Fall-planted overwintering onions harvest in May-June. Harvest garlic in July when lower leaves brown but upper leaves remain green.

How do I store onions in Nashville's humid climate?

Cure onions for 2-4 weeks in a hot, dry location with good airflow before storage. Nashville's humidity makes curing challenging—use fans and covered porches. Store cured onions at 32-40°F with 60-70% humidity and good air circulation. Properly cured storage varieties keep 6+ months.

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Tagged with

#onions Nashville #Zone 7a planting #Tennessee gardening #intermediate day onions #when to plant onions #Nashville frost dates #garlic planting Tennessee #fall onion planting #Nashville clay soil #onion varieties Tennessee

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.