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When to Plant Scallions in Dorchester County, SC

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.

Dorchester County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 248 days.

At an elevation of 107 feet, Dorchester County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Scallions during the growing season. 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.

Dorchester County, SC (Zone 8b) Long season
248 days
Last Spring Frost March 10
248 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Dorchester County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (174 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – May 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (164 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 3 Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – Jun 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (166 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 3 Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 2 – Jun 30

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Scallions needs ~1,230 GDD — county provides 5,084 GDD Excellent fit

Scallions Planting Timeline โ€” Dorchester County, SC

Scallions Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 3 Feb 3 โ€“ Feb 17
Transplant Outdoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Direct Sow February 24 Feb 24 โ€“ Mar 17
Fall Sowing September 4 Sep 4 โ€“ Sep 18
Harvest May 5 May 5 โ€“ Jun 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors Direct Sow
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
August โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

248 days

Growing Tips for Dorchester 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 Dorchester County, SC?

Dorchester County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 10. Plan your Scallions planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dorchester County, SC?

Dorchester County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 10 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dorchester 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 Dorchester County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.