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When to Plant Scallions in Hendricks County, IN

Hendricks County, Indiana Zone 6a May

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 Hendricks County, Indiana.

Avg. last frost April 16
Avg. first frost October 19
Soil temp (4") 61°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
  1. Start scallions under lights

    These need a head start before your last frost (April 16). Sow into cells now so you're ready to transplant in a few weeks.

Get ahead of June
  • First harvests: scallions

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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.

Hendricks County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 186 days.

At an elevation of 1,286 feet, Hendricks County receives approximately 32.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Scallions during the growing season.

Hendricks County, IN (Zone 6a) Moderate season
186 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
186 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19
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Hendricks County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 6 Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Jul 25

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 Hendricks County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.2) overlaps with Scallions's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Hendricks County is excellent for Scallions — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.2%) — Scallions will thrive.

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

4
successive plantings in your 186-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 10 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 10.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 538 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.3" 2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Hendricks County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 ~960 GDD — county provides 2,976 GDD Excellent fit

Scallions Planting Timeline — Hendricks County, IN

Scallions Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 – Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 16 Apr 16 – Apr 30
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 23
Harvest June 11 Jun 11 – Jul 9
Fall Sowing August 10 Aug 10 – Aug 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

186 days in Hendricks County

Growing Tips for Scallions in Hendricks County

Direct sow Scallions outdoors after April 16 in Hendricks County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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 Hendricks County, IN?

Hendricks County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Scallions planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hendricks County, IN?

Hendricks County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 19.

🌱

Your Hendricks County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Hendricks County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Hendricks County, IN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.