When to Plant Scallions in USDA Zone 5a
What to do in May
May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Zone 5a.
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Move scallions into the garden
Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- Starting indoors: scallions
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.
In Zone 5a, the average last spring frost is around April 25 and the first fall frost is around October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.
Scallions Planting Timeline — Zone 5a
Where Is USDA Zone 5a?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 5a. Click any state to see the Scallions planting schedule for that location.
Scallions Planting Calendar — Zone 5a
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 25 | Apr 25 – May 9 |
| Direct Sow | April 11 | Apr 11 – May 2 |
| Harvest | June 20 | Jun 20 – Jul 18 |
| Fall Sowing | July 30 | Jul 30 – Aug 13 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 6" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Harvest |
| July | Fall Sowing Harvest |
| August | Fall Sowing |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 5a Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 5a with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Days to Maturity
50–70 days
Soil pH
6 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
166 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.5 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 6 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Scallions in Zone
Sow every 5.7 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Scallions in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~166 days). Start Scallions indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
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Saving Scallions Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Scallions in Other Zones
Scallions by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Scallions in Zone 5a?
In Zone 5a, plan your Scallions planting around the average last frost date of April 25. Start seeds indoors around March 21. Direct sow outdoors around April 11. Transplant seedlings around April 25.
Can Scallions grow in Zone 5a?
Yes, Scallions can grow well in Zone 5a, hardy in USDA zones 3a through 10b. Zone 5a has a growing season of approximately 166 days, which is sufficient for Scallions (50-70 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Scallions in Zone 5a?
In Zone 5a, expect to harvest Scallions from June 20 – July 18. Scallions takes 50-70 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 5a?
The average last spring frost in Zone 5a is around April 25, and the first fall frost is around October 8. This gives a growing season of approximately 166 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Scallions?
Good companion plants for Scallions include Carrots, Lettuce, Beets. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.