When to plant onions in Baker City, OR

Plant onion sets in Baker City Apr 20 – May 25.

Moderate Plant small onion bulbs (sets)

Why these dates

Baker City's typical last spring frost is May 25. As a cool-season crop that handles light frost, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the high desert and mountains, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 20.

High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.

Difficulty: Moderate
Sun: Full sun
Spacing: 4 inches apart
Planting depth: Sets 1 inch deep, tip just showing
Frost: Handles light frost
First harvest: About 110 days after planting

Step by step

Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant onion sets Apr 20 – May 25, 4 inches apart, sets 1 inch deep, tip just showing.
Water regularly and keep the bed weeded; onions don't compete well.
Harvest: When the tops flop over in late summer, pull the onions and let them dry in a shady, airy spot for two weeks.

Varieties that do well here

Walla Walla Sweet
Copra (stores well)
Redwing

Watch out for

Weeds outcompete onions' thin leaves. Keep the bed weeded and mulched.

Plant as soon as the soil is dry enough to work. Pick long-day varieties for the Northwest.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Baker City, OR?

Typically May 25. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 16. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Baker City Municipal Airport.

Is it too late to plant onions in Baker City?

The spring planting window runs through May 25. Later plantings tend to struggle in summer heat.

How long until I can harvest onions?

About 110 days after planting. When the tops flop over in late summer, pull the onions and let them dry in a shady, airy spot for two weeks.

Also plant in Baker City around the same time

Planting dates for onions in nearby areas

Bend and Redmond, OR Apr 28 – Jun 2
Klamath Falls, OR Apr 28 – Jun 2
Burns, OR Apr 30 – Jun 4

Full planting calendar for Baker City · Onions in every city