Maryland · Garden vegetables

Onion season in Maryland

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

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

At a glance

Early

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

Peak

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

Late

Through late August — 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 Maryland

Frequently asked questions

When is onion season in Maryland?

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

Can I pick my own onions in Maryland?

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

How long does onion season last in Maryland?

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