Blog

When to Plant Scallions in Midland County, TX

Midland County, Texas Zone 8b May

May in Midland County, Texas — your action list

Here's what deserves your attention in Midland County, Texas this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 8b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost March 20
Avg. first frost November 14
Soil temp (4") 67°F
Watering High
Pest pressure Moderate
Daylight 13.6 hrs
  1. Start harvesting scallions

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Get ahead of June
  • First harvests: scallions

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Midland County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 14, giving you a growing season of approximately 239 days.

At an elevation of 1,546 feet, Midland County receives approximately 52.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98°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.

Midland County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
239 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
239 growing days
First Fall Frost November 14

Midland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.4-8.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (159 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Mar 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – May 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (155 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 13 Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (145 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 6

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 Midland County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.4–8.6) is more alkaline than Scallions prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Midland 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 239-day season

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

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Sep 05.

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 184 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 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 1.7" 2.6" 🚿 Regular watering
May 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 8.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 10.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 7.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 4.1" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Midland 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 ~1,410 GDD — county provides 5,616 GDD Excellent fit

Scallions Planting Timeline — Midland County, TX

Scallions Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 13 Feb 13 – Feb 27
Transplant Outdoors March 20 Mar 20 – Apr 3
Direct Sow March 6 Mar 6 – Mar 27
Harvest May 15 May 15 – Jun 12
Fall Sowing September 5 Sep 5 – Sep 19

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
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 8b

📆 Growing Season

239 days in Midland County

Growing Tips for Scallions in Midland County

Direct sow Scallions outdoors after March 20 in Midland County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Midland 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 98°F in Midland 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 Midland County, TX?

Midland County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Scallions planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Midland County, TX?

Midland County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 14.

🌱

Your Midland County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Midland 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Midland 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.