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When to Plant Scallions in Marquette County, WI

Marquette County, Wisconsin Zone 5a April

Marquette County, Wisconsin gardeners: here's your April plan

Your Marquette County, Wisconsin garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for April and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost May 3
Avg. first frost October 7
Soil temp (4") 40°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 13.2 hrs
  1. Plant scallions from seed, right in the garden

    Your soil is 40°F — warm enough for these to germinate without babying.

Coming up in May — start thinking about
  • Transplants going out: 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.

Marquette County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 157 days.

At an elevation of 728 feet, Marquette County receives approximately 38.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Scallions to ensure they mature before fall.

Marquette County, WI (Zone 4b) Moderate season
157 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
157 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7
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Marquette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Jul 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 29 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (65 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 Marquette County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1–7.1) overlaps with Scallions's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) — Scallions will thrive.

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 157-day season

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

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Jul 29.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Marquette 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 ~645 GDD — county provides 1,687 GDD Excellent fit

Scallions Planting Timeline — Marquette County, WI

Scallions Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5
Transplant Outdoors May 3 May 3 – May 17
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 – May 17
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 – Jul 26
Fall Sowing July 15 Jul 15 – Jul 29

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 Fall Sowing Harvest
August
September
October
November
December
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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 4b

📆 Growing Season

157 days in Marquette County

Growing Tips for Scallions in Marquette County

Direct sow Scallions outdoors after May 03 in Marquette 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 Marquette County, WI?

Marquette County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Scallions planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marquette County, WI?

Marquette County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 7.

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Your Marquette County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Marquette County (Zone 4b). 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 Marquette County, WI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.