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When to Plant Scallions in Irion County, TX

Irion County, Texas Zone 8a May

May in Irion County, Texas — your action list

Your garden in Irion County, Texas is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost April 1
Avg. first frost November 7
Soil temp (4") 68°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Begin indoor sowing: scallions

    Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.

  2. Start harvesting scallions

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

To set up a strong June, finish these tasks
  • 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.

Irion County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 1,818 feet, Irion County receives approximately 51.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 100°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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Scallions root diseases.

Irion County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 7

Irion County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.6-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 14 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jun 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jun 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 8

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 Irion County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.6–8.6) is more alkaline than Scallions prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Irion County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Scallions will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.0%). 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

5
successive plantings in your 220-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 29 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 29.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 44 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 1.8" 2.5" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 9.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 9.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 6.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Irion 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 ~1,500 GDD — county provides 5,500 GDD Excellent fit

Scallions Planting Timeline — Irion County, TX

Scallions Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 25 Feb 25 – Mar 11
Transplant Outdoors April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 15
Direct Sow March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 8
Harvest May 27 May 27 – Jun 24
Fall Sowing August 29 Aug 29 – Sep 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

220 days in Irion County

Growing Tips for Scallions in Irion County

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

Sandy soil in Irion 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 100°F in Irion 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.

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 Irion County, TX?

Irion County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Scallions planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Irion County, TX?

Irion County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 7.

🌱

Your Irion County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Irion County (Zone 8a). 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 Irion 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.