Blog

When to Plant Scallions in Nicholas County, WV

Nicholas County, West Virginia Zone 6b May

This month in Nicholas County, West Virginia

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

Avg. last frost May 4
Avg. first frost October 17
Soil temp (4") 60°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Get scallions in the ground

    Your last frost (May 4) has passed. These warm-season crops can handle outdoor soil now.

A few tasks this May that'll pay off in June
  • Starting indoors: scallions
  • 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.

Nicholas County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 2,348 feet, Nicholas County receives approximately 46.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Scallions during the growing season.

Nicholas County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost May 4
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 17

Nicholas County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 23 Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Jul 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Jul 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (77 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 Nicholas County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–6.9) overlaps with Scallions's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Scallions.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.0%). 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

3
successive plantings in your 166-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 08 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 08.

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 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.2" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Nicholas 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 ~1,050 GDD — county provides 2,905 GDD Excellent fit

Scallions Planting Timeline — Nicholas County, WV

Scallions Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 30 Mar 30 – Apr 13
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 – May 18
Direct Sow April 20 Apr 20 – May 11
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 – Jul 27
Fall Sowing August 8 Aug 8 – Aug 22

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 · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

166 days in Nicholas County

Growing Tips for Scallions in Nicholas County

Direct sow Scallions outdoors after May 04 in Nicholas 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 Nicholas County, WV?

Nicholas County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 4. Plan your Scallions planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Nicholas County, WV?

Nicholas County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 4 and first fall frost is October 17.

🌱

Your Nicholas County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Nicholas County (Zone 6b). 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 Nicholas County, WV. 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.