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When to Plant Scallions in Real County, TX

Real County, Texas Zone 8b May

Real County, Texas gardeners: here's your May plan

Each item below is timed to Real County, Texas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 31
Avg. first frost November 8
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs
  1. Start scallions indoors

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

  2. It's harvest week for scallions

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • 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.

Real County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 222 days.

At an elevation of 4,368 feet, Real County receives approximately 60.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Scallions may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Scallions root diseases.

Real County, TX (Zone 8b) Long season
222 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
222 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Real County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (140 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (138 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 24 Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jun 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 12

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 Real County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.7) is more alkaline than Scallions prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). 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

5
successive plantings in your 222-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 30 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 30.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Apr 4.3" 6.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 9.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 8.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 8.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 7.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 2.1" 2.2" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Real 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 ~1,320 GDD — county provides 4,884 GDD Excellent fit

Scallions Planting Timeline — Real County, TX

Scallions Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 24 Feb 24 – Mar 10
Transplant Outdoors March 31 Mar 31 – Apr 14
Direct Sow March 17 Mar 17 – Apr 7
Harvest May 26 May 26 – Jun 23
Fall Sowing August 30 Aug 30 – Sep 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors 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 · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

222 days in Real County

Growing Tips for Scallions in Real County

Direct sow Scallions outdoors after March 31 in Real County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 96°F in Real 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 Real County, TX?

Real County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Scallions planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Real County, TX?

Real County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 8.

🌱

Your Real County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Real 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 Real 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.