When To Plant Scallion Seeds

When to plant scallion seeds is one of the first questions every new gardener asks, and the answer is simpler than you might think.

Scallion seeds can be planted early in the spring as soon as the soil is workable, and you can keep planting scallion seeds again in late summer for a fall harvest.

Timing when to plant scallion seeds really comes down to your climate, your growing season, and whether you’re aiming for a spring crop or a winter storage crop.

In this post, we’ll dig into the best months to plant scallion seeds, how to stagger your planting for a continuous supply, and a few tips so you know exactly when to plant scallion seeds in your own backyard.

Let’s get growing.
 

When to Plant Scallion Seeds for the Best Harvest

If you’ve ever wondered when to plant scallion seeds, the golden rule is to start them as soon as the ground can be worked in early spring.

Scallions are cool-season crops, so they actually prefer the mild temperatures of spring and fall over the heat of summer.

Here’s a closer look at the ideal windows for planting scallion seeds.
 

1. Early Spring Planting for Scallion Seeds

Your first opportunity to plant scallion seeds is about four to six weeks before your last expected frost date.

The soil might still be chilly, but scallion seeds are tough and will germinate in soil as cold as 40°F.

Just make sure the ground isn’t waterlogged or frozen solid.

If you plant scallion seeds this early, you’ll be pulling tender green stalks by late spring.

And here’s a pro tip: don’t plant scallion seeds all at once.

Instead, sow a new row every two to three weeks for a steady supply of scallions all season long.
 

2. Late Summer Planting for Scallion Seeds

The second best time to plant scallion seeds is in late summer, usually six to eight weeks before your first fall frost.

When you plant scallion seeds in August or early September, they’ll mature during the cooler days of autumn.

These fall scallions are often sweeter and more tender because the cooler weather reduces their sharpness.

Plus, scallions planted in late summer can often overwinter in mild climates, giving you an early spring harvest next year.

So if you missed the spring window, knowing when to plant scallion seeds in late summer saves your season.
 

3. Year-Round Planting in Mild Climates

If you live in USDA zones 7 through 10, you have even more flexibility with when to plant scallion seeds.

In these warmer regions, you can plant scallion seeds almost year-round, except for the very hottest weeks of midsummer.

The key is to avoid the peak heat, as high temperatures can cause scallions to bolt and turn bitter.

So plant scallion seeds in fall, winter, and early spring for the best results in mild climates.

This way, you always have a fresh crop of scallions ready to snip into salads, soups, and stir-fries.
 

Factors That Affect When to Plant Scallion Seeds

Knowing when to plant scallion seeds isn’t just about the calendar.

Several environmental factors will shift your ideal planting dates, so let’s break those down.
 

1. Soil Temperature and Germination

Scallion seeds germinate best when the soil temperature is between 55°F and 75°F.

If you plant scallion seeds too early in cold, wet soil, they may rot before they sprout.

If you plant scallion seeds too late in hot summer soil, the heat can stress the young seedlings.

That’s why spring and fall are the safest bets for most gardeners.

You can use a simple soil thermometer to check the temperature at a depth of one inch.
 

2. Day Length and Sunlight

Scallions don’t need a specific day length to form bulbs, which is great news.

Unlike other onions, scallions are grown for their green tops and immature white bases.

But they do appreciate full sun, which means at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.

So when you plant scallion seeds, choose a spot that gets plenty of morning sun and some afternoon shade in hot climates.

This ensures the plants stay healthy no matter when you plant scallion seeds.
 

3. Your Local Frost Dates

Your local frost dates are the ultimate guide for when to plant scallion seeds.

For spring planting, work backward from your last frost date by about six weeks.

For fall planting, count back from your first frost date by about eight weeks.

If you don’t know your frost dates, a quick online search for your zip code will give you them.

And remember, scallions can tolerate a light frost, so you don’t need to rush to harvest them right before a cold snap.
 

Tips for Sowing Scallion Seeds Successfully

Once you’ve figured out when to plant scallion seeds, you’ll want to sow them correctly for the best germination.

Here are a few proven methods to help your scallion seeds thrive.
 

1. Direct Sow vs. Indoor Start

Scallion seeds are perfectly happy being direct sown right into the garden.

They don’t love root disturbance, so direct sowing is usually the easiest path.

If you want to get a head start, you can plant scallion seeds indoors in seed trays about four weeks before your last frost.

Just be extra gentle when transplanting, as scallion roots are delicate.

But for most gardeners, direct sowing is the simplest way to go.
 

2. Proper Spacing and Depth

When you plant scallion seeds, sow them at a depth of about a quarter to half an inch.

Space the seeds about one inch apart in rows that are 12 inches apart.

You can sow them a bit thicker and thin them out later for scallion greens.

Thinning gives you baby scallions to eat right away while leaving room for the rest to grow.

Just remember to keep the soil consistently moist after planting scallion seeds.
 

3. Succession Planting for Continuous Scallions

The trick to never running out of scallions is succession planting.

Instead of planting scallion seeds once, plant a small batch every two to three weeks.

This way, you always have scallions at various stages of growth.

You’ll be harvesting some while others are still maturing.

It’s the smartest way to extend your harvest window regardless of when you plant scallion seeds initially.
 

So, When to Plant Scallion Seeds?

You can plant scallion seeds in early spring as soon as the soil is workable, and again in late summer for a fall crop.

In mild climates, you can even plant scallion seeds throughout the cooler months for year-round harvests.

The key is to avoid extreme heat and extreme cold when sowing your scallion seeds.

So watch your soil temperature, keep an eye on your local frost dates, and use succession planting.

Once you get the timing right, you’ll be enjoying fresh, crisp scallions from your garden all year long.
 
Happy gardening, and here’s to your best scallion crop yet.