When to plant onions in Coos Bay and North Bend, OR

Plant onion sets in Coos Bay and North Bend Mar 25 – Apr 29.

Moderate Plant small onion bulbs (sets)

Why these dates

Coos Bay and North Bend's typical last spring frost is February 21. On the coast, the soil is usually ready for onions around March 25.

Coast. Mild winters but cool, foggy summers. Frost is rarely the problem; warmth is. Pick early, cool-tolerant varieties of tomatoes and squash.

Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant onion sets Mar 25 – Apr 29, 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.

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.

When is the last frost in Coos Bay and North Bend, OR?

Typically February 21. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by March 25. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for North Bend Regional Airport.

Is it too late to plant onions in Coos Bay and North Bend?

The spring planting window runs through April 29. 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.