When To Plant Scallions

The best time to plant scallions is in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked, and again in late summer for a fall harvest.
 
That’s the simple answer, but the truth is that when to plant scallions depends a lot on your local climate and whether you’re starting from seeds, sets, or transplants.
 
Scallions are incredibly forgiving and fast-growing, so you have more flexibility than you might think when planning your planting schedule.
 
In this post, we’ll break down the ideal timing for planting scallions in different seasons, how to stagger your plantings for a continuous supply, and a few tips to get the best results.
 
Let’s dig into when to plant scallions so you can enjoy fresh green onions all year long.
 

When to Plant Scallions Based on Your Season

Scallions are cool-season crops, which means they thrive in mild temperatures and can handle a light frost without any trouble.
 
This makes them perfect for early spring planting, but you can also plant scallions in the fall for a winter harvest in warmer regions.
 
If you live in a area with hot summers, you’ll want to avoid planting scallions in the peak heat because they tend to bolt, or flower, and become tough.
 
So, here’s a breakdown of when to plant scallions depending on the season you’re working with.
 

1. Early Spring: The Prime Time for Planting Scallions

For most gardeners, the best time to plant scallions is about 4 to 6 weeks before your last expected frost date.
 
That’s because scallions are hardy and can tolerate soil temperatures as low as 45°F (7°C).
 
If you’re direct-sowing seeds, you can get them in the ground as soon as the soil is no longer frozen and is workable.
 
For a head start, you can also plant scallions indoors about 8 weeks before the last frost and transplant them outside when they’re a few inches tall.
 
This early planting scallions schedule ensures you get a harvest before summer heat sets in.
 

2. Late Summer: A Second Window for Planting Scallions

If you missed the spring window or want a fall crop, late summer is another excellent time to plant scallions.
 
Aim to sow seeds about 8 to 10 weeks before your first expected fall frost.
 
This gives them enough time to mature in the cooler autumn weather, which actually makes them sweeter and more tender.
 
When you plant scallions in late summer, they’ll grow slowly at first but pick up speed as temperatures drop.
 
You can even plant scallions in early fall in mild climates and harvest them through winter if you use a cold frame or row cover.
 

3. Fall Planting for Mild Winter Climates

Gardeners in USDA zones 8 and warmer can get away with planting scallions in late fall for a winter harvest.
 
In these regions, the soil stays warm enough for germination, and the mild winter doesn’t stop growth completely.
 
If you’re planting scallions in this window, choose varieties that are known for cold hardiness, like White Lisbon or Evergreen Hardy White.
 
This way, you can basically have fresh scallions from your garden almost year-round.
 

How to Stagger Planting Scallions for a Continuous Harvest

One of the best tricks for planting scallions is to sow them in succession, meaning you plant small batches every couple of weeks.
 
Instead of planting one big row all at once, you can plant scallions every 2 to 3 weeks from early spring through late summer.
 
This ensures that as soon as you harvest one batch, the next one is already on its way.
 
Succession planting scallions is especially useful because they’re ready to pick in just 60 to 90 days from seed.
 
If you’re using scallion sets, you can harvest in as little as 30 days, so staggering those every few weeks keeps the salad bar stocked.
 

1. Use Sets for a Quick Start

If you want a fast harvest, planting scallions from sets is the way to go.
 
Sets are small, immature bulbs that you can plant directly in the ground, and they take off quickly.
 
You can plant scallion sets in early spring as soon as the ground thaws, and again in late summer for a fall crop.
 
They’re perfect for succession planting because you can pop them in every few weeks with almost no effort.
 

2. Direct-Sow Seeds for a Bigger Crop

Planting scallions from seeds takes a bit longer, but you get more plants for the cost.
 
You can start direct-sowing scallion seeds as soon as the soil reaches 50°F (10°C).
 
Sow them about half an inch deep and keep the soil consistently moist until they sprout.
 
For a continuous supply, sow a new row of scallion seeds every couple of weeks during your planting season.
 

Key Factors That Affect When to Plant Scallions

Your exact planting scallions timing will hinge on a few local conditions, and knowing these will help you fine-tune your schedule.
 
The biggest factor is your last spring frost date and first fall frost date, which you can find from your local extension office.
 
Beyond frost, here’s what to keep in mind.
 

1. Soil Temperature Matters for Germination

Scallion seeds will germinate in soil as cool as 40°F, but they sprout fastest when the soil is between 55°F and 70°F.
 
If you plant scallions when the soil is too cold, they may rot before sprouting.
 
Use a soil thermometer to check, and don’t rush it if the ground is still soggy from snowmelt.
 

2. Your Hardiness Zone Sets the Calendar

In northern zones (3 to 5), you’ll have a shorter window, so planting scallions in early spring is critical.
 
In southern zones (6 to 9), you can plant scallions in fall, winter, and early spring almost all year.
 
Adjust your planting scallions dates based on your zone to avoid extreme heat or deep freezes.
 

3. Day Length Impacts Bulb Growth

Some scallion varieties are day-length sensitive, meaning they react to how many hours of sunlight they get.
 
Long-day varieties are better for summer planting scallions in northern areas, while short-day types suit southern gardens.
 
For most green onion types, though, you don’t need to worry too much because they’re chosen for bunching rather than bulbing.
 

So, When to Plant Scallions for Your Garden?

The best time to plant scallions is in early spring, about 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost, and again in late summer, about 8 weeks before the first fall frost.
 
That timing gives you a spring and fall crop, and you can extend it by planting scallions in succession every few weeks.
 
If you’re in a mild climate, you can even plant scallions in fall for winter harvests, so your garden keeps giving.
 
Hope this guide helps you nail down when to plant scallions in your backyard.
 
Happy growing, and enjoy those fresh, crisp scallions straight from the soil.