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When to Plant Scallions in Esmeralda County, NV

Esmeralda County, Nevada Zone 7a May

Your May gardening checklist

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost May 1
Avg. first frost October 14
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Transplant scallions outside

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

Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • Starting indoors: scallions
  • 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.

Esmeralda County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and the first fall frost is October 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 3,975 feet, Esmeralda County receives approximately 9.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 99°F, so Scallions may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Esmeralda County, NV (Zone 7a) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost May 1
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 14

Esmeralda County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.8-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Jul 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 16 Transplant: May 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 13

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 Esmeralda County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.8–8.2) is more alkaline than Scallions prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Esmeralda 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 (0.7%). 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

3
successive plantings in your 166-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 05.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
1.3″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,861 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 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 0.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 0.2" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 0.4" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.2" 3.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 0.9" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Esmeralda 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 ~1,455 GDD — county provides 4,025 GDD Excellent fit

Scallions Planting Timeline — Esmeralda County, NV

Scallions Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 – May 15
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 – May 8
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 – Jul 24
Fall Sowing August 5 Aug 5 – Aug 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

166 days in Esmeralda County

Growing Tips for Scallions in Esmeralda County

Direct sow Scallions outdoors after May 01 in Esmeralda County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Esmeralda County dries quickly — 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 99°F in Esmeralda 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.

Esmeralda County receives only 10" 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 Esmeralda County, NV?

Esmeralda County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of May 1. Plan your Scallions planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Esmeralda County, NV?

Esmeralda County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is May 1 and first fall frost is October 14.

🌱

Your Esmeralda County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Esmeralda County (Zone 7a). 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 Esmeralda County, NV. 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.