Abstract: The effect of three planting dates viz. 1st, 15th and 31st Oct. 1998 and five varieties viz. Afghan white, Swat-1, Swat local, NARC-91 and Cross-bow (U.K. Source) were studied to establish the appropriate planting dates for various varieties and to select the best for higher yield of onion bulb for Malakand Division. The results indicated that planting on 1st Oct. had significant (p<0.05) effect on onion bulb production (79.71), number of leaves per plant (7.83), single bulb weight (55.63 g), fresh yield per hectare (79.58 tons). While maximum number of bulbs per kg (55.87) were found at planting on 31st Oct. Among the varieties, Afghan white had more neck height (8.52 cm) and single bulb weight (44.66 g), While Swat-1 showed significantly higher population percentage (84.60), fresh yield (12.72 t ha-1) and similarly NARC-91 was also significantly higher number of leaves per plant (7.27). In interaction, Swat-1 planted on 1st Oct. showed highly significant effect on yield per hectare (101.67 tons).