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When to Plant Scallions in McLean County, KY

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.

McLean County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 2,224 feet, McLean County receives approximately 41.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Scallions during the growing season.

McLean County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
208 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

McLean County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 22 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jun 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jun 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 10

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Scallions needs ~825 GDD — county provides 2,860 GDD Excellent fit

Scallions Planting Timeline โ€” McLean County, KY

Scallions Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 20
Direct Sow March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 13
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Sep 5
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Jun 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July โ€”
August Fall Sowing
September Fall Sowing
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 6b

Growing Season

208 days

Growing Tips for McLean 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Scallions in McLean County, KY?

McLean County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Scallions planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is McLean County, KY?

McLean County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 31.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help McLean County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 McLean County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.