Blog

When to Plant Scallions in Tazewell County, IL

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.

Tazewell County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.

At an elevation of 1,006 feet, Tazewell County receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Scallions during the growing season.

Tazewell County, IL (Zone 5b) Moderate season
179 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
179 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Tazewell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Jul 26

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 98 gal / 100 sq ft
Scallions needs ~915 GDD — county provides 2,729 GDD Excellent fit

Scallions Planting Timeline โ€” Tazewell County, IL

Scallions Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Mar 29
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3
Direct Sow April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 26
Fall Sowing August 6 Aug 6 โ€“ Aug 20
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 โ€“ Jul 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

50โ€“70 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 5b

Growing Season

179 days

Growing Tips for Tazewell County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Scallions in Tazewell County, IL?

Tazewell County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Scallions planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tazewell County, IL?

Tazewell County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tazewell County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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