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When to Plant Scallions in Elko County, NV

Elko County, Nevada Zone 5b June

June to-do list for Elko County, Nevada

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Elko County, Nevada.

Avg. last frost June 5
Avg. first frost September 15
Soil temp (4") 51°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.9 hrs
  1. Harden off and plant scallions

    Pick a cloudy afternoon or evening to plant. Less transplant shock, and your seedlings will barely blink.

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • Starting indoors: scallions
  • First harvests: scallions
  • Fall sowing: 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.

Elko County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 5 and the first fall frost is September 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 102 days.

At an elevation of 5,859 feet, Elko County receives approximately 15.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Scallions during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Scallions will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Scallions successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Elko County, NV (Zone 5b) Short season
102 days
Last Spring Frost June 5
102 growing days
First Fall Frost September 15

Elko County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Scallions Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 21 Transplant: May 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Aug 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (18 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 1 Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Aug 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (20 days to spare)
Start indoors: May 14 Transplant: Jun 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 13 – Sep 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.

Soil Compatibility in Elko County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.2–8.5) is more alkaline than Scallions prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Elko 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 (0.8%). 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

2
successive plantings in your 102-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 07 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 07.

Scallions Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 739 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — 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" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 0.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 2.7" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.1" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Elko 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 ~1,140 GDD — county provides 1,938 GDD Excellent fit

Scallions Planting Timeline — Elko County, NV

Scallions Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors May 1 May 1 – May 15
Transplant Outdoors June 5 Jun 5 – Jun 19
Direct Sow May 22 May 22 – Jun 12
Harvest July 31 Jul 31 – Aug 28
Fall Sowing July 7 Jul 7 – Jul 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

102 days in Elko County

Growing Tips for Scallions in Elko County

Direct sow Scallions outdoors after June 05 in Elko County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Common pests for Scallions in this region include onion maggots and thrips. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Elko County receives only 15" of rain annually. Scallions needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Elko County, NV?

Elko County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of June 5. Plan your Scallions planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Elko County, NV?

Elko County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is June 5 and first fall frost is September 15.

🌱

Your Elko County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Elko County (Zone 5b). 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 Elko County, NV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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