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When to Plant Scallions in Bandera County, TX

Bandera County, Texas Zone 8b May

May to-do list for Bandera County, Texas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Bandera County, Texas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 9
Avg. first frost November 16
Soil temp (4") 59°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Basket week: scallions

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

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.

Bandera County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 252 days.

At an elevation of 4,846 feet, Bandera County receives approximately 53.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Scallions during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Scallions root diseases.

Bandera County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
252 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
252 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16
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Bandera County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (171 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 26 Transplant: Mar 2 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – May 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (168 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 4 – Jun 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (157 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.

Soil Compatibility in Bandera County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.4) overlaps with Scallions's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help 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

6
successive plantings in your 252-day season

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

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 07.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 305 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 5.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Bandera 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 ~1,230 GDD — county provides 5,166 GDD Excellent fit

Scallions Planting Timeline — Bandera County, TX

Scallions Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 2 Feb 2 – Feb 16
Transplant Outdoors March 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 16
Harvest May 4 May 4 – Jun 1
Fall Sowing September 7 Sep 7 – Sep 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

252 days in Bandera County

Growing Tips for Scallions in Bandera County

Direct sow Scallions outdoors after March 09 in Bandera 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 Bandera County, TX?

Bandera County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Scallions planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bandera County, TX?

Bandera County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 16.

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Your Bandera County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Bandera County (Zone 8b). 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 Bandera County, TX. 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.