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When to Plant Scallions in Clay County, AR

Scallions (green onions) are mild-flavored alliums harvested for their slender green tops and white bases. They are quick-growing and perfect for succession planting.

Clay County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 1,448 feet, Clay County receives approximately 54.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Scallions during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Scallions root diseases.

Clay County, AR (Zone 7a) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Clay County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 12 Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jun 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 20 Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jun 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 9

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Clay County

How your county's soil matches Scallions's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“6.7) overlaps with Scallions's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Clay County is excellent for Scallions โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Scallions.

How to Plant Scallions

0.5"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Scallions

5
successive plantings in your 220-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 24 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 24.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Scallions

Scallions needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Scallions Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 4.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Clay County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Scallions Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Scallions needs ~1,050 GDD — county provides 3,850 GDD Excellent fit

Scallions Planting Timeline โ€” Clay County, AR

Scallions Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 6
Transplant Outdoors March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 10
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Harvest May 22 May 22 โ€“ Jun 19
Fall Sowing August 24 Aug 24 โ€“ Sep 7

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

220 days in Clay County

Growing Tips for Scallions in Clay County

Direct sow Scallions outdoors after March 27 in Clay County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Scallions in this region include onion maggots and thrips. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Direct sow every 3 weeks for continuous harvest. Thin to 1 inch apart or grow in clusters. Harvest when pencil-thick by pulling or cutting at soil level.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Peas
  • Green Beans

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Scallions in Clay County, AR?

Clay County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Scallions planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Clay County, AR?

Clay County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Clay County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Clay County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.