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When to Plant Scallions in Stone County, MS

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.

Stone County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 269 days.

At an elevation of 105 feet, Stone County receives approximately 57.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Scallions may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Scallions will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Scallions root diseases.

Stone County, MS (Zone 8b) Long season
269 days
Last Spring Frost March 2
269 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Stone County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (192 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 12 Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: Apr 13 – May 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (185 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Mar 2 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – May 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (184 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jun 14

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 Stone County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.0โ€“6.3) is more acidic than Scallions prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Stone County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Scallions will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Scallions.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting 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

6
successive plantings in your 269-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 17 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 17.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/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€” 4.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 5.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.3" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 6.1" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.4" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Dec โ€” 5.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Stone 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 ~1,320 GDD — county provides 5,918 GDD Excellent fit

Scallions Planting Timeline โ€” Stone County, MS

Scallions Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 26 Jan 26 โ€“ Feb 9
Transplant Outdoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Direct Sow February 16 Feb 16 โ€“ Mar 9
Harvest April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 25
Fall Sowing September 17 Sep 17 โ€“ Oct 1

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

269 days in Stone County

Growing Tips for Scallions in Stone County

Direct sow Scallions outdoors after March 02 in Stone County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Stone County dries quickly โ€” mulch Scallions with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 96ยฐF in Stone County, provide afternoon shade for Scallions and water deeply in the morning.

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 Stone County, MS?

Stone County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 2. Plan your Scallions planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stone County, MS?

Stone County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and first fall frost is November 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Stone County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Stone County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.