Massachusetts · Garden vegetables

Onion season in Massachusetts

Typically mid-July to late September, with peak early August through late August.

Hatched chalk = early and late shoulders; solid = peak.

At a glance

Early

From mid-July — first pickings, lighter supply, best prices come later.

Peak

early August through late August — full stalls, full flavor. This is the stretch to plan around.

Late

Through late September — quantity for preserving, and the stalls start dealing.

Season length

about 11 weeks end to end, shoulders included.

Onions

Look: Dry, papery skins with a tight, small neck and no green sprout poking from the top.
Feel: Rock hard through the shoulders — any softness at the neck means rot is starting inside.
Smell: Mild and faintly sweet through the skin; a strong oniony or musty smell signals a bruised or rotting bulb.
Tip: For sweets like Vidalias, pick the flattest bulbs on the table — the flatter the disc, the milder the bite.
Keeps: Cool, dark, dry pantry — storage types keep for months, sweet onions only a few weeks.

Chasing the season?

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The whole national sweep · everything in season in Massachusetts

Frequently asked questions

When is onion season in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, the onion season typically runs mid-July to late September, with peak availability early August through late August. Exact weeks shift a little with each year's weather.

Can I pick my own onions in Massachusetts?

U-pick onion fields are basically unheard of — buy braids and bags straight off the farm stand. The best market weeks are early August through late August.

How long does onion season last in Massachusetts?

about 11 weeks end to end — mid-July to late September. The early and late shoulders are real but lighter; the solid stretch of chalk on the band is the sure bet.