When to Plant Green Onion (Scallion) in Zone 9
Allium fistulosum
Last updated: Apr 29, 2026 · Sources: USDA, NOAA, Cooperative ExtensionAction Plan
Plant Green Onion (Scallion) in Zone 9
- Direct sow: Feb 28 — after last frost (Feb 28)
- First harvest: Apr 29 (50–65 days after planting)
⚠️ Don't plant before last frost (Feb 28) — cold snaps kill young transplants.
Last frost
Feb 28
First frost
Nov 25
Growing season
270 days
Quick Facts
Sunlight
☀️ Full Sun
Water Needs
💧💧 Moderate
Spacing
3 inches apart
Planting Depth
0.5 inch
Min Soil Temp
40°F
Germination
7–14 days
Days to Maturity
50–65 days
Frost Tolerance
Moderate frost tolerance
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Difficulty
Easy
What you'll need — Zone 9
🛒 Green Onion (Scallion) — Seeds & Supplies
- 🌱 Scallion / Green Onion Seeds
- 🌱 Window Sill Propagation Kit
- 🌱 Succession Planting Timer
Search for these at your local garden center or nursery.
Growing Tips
- Green onions are ready in 50–65 days — one of the quickest edible crops.
- Regrow kitchen scallion roots in water on the windowsill — they'll sprout in days.
- Plant densely — sow 1 inch apart without thinning for a continuous cut-and-come-again crop.
- Harvest by pulling whole plants or snipping tops, leaving 1 inch to regrow.
- Succession sow every 3 weeks for year-round supply in mild climates.
Common Mistakes
- Waiting too long to harvest — green onions become tough and pungent when large.
- Planting near beans or peas — alliums inhibit legume growth.
- Deep planting — seeds only need 0.5 inch depth.
- Not succession planting — one sowing gives a short harvest window.
Companion Planting
Companion planting improves growth, deters pests, and makes better use of garden space.
✓ Good Companions
✗ Avoid Nearby
Beans Peas
Green Onion (Scallion) Schedule — All Zones
| Zone | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest Start | Harvest End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May 15 | Jul 14 | Aug 28 |
| Zone 4 | — | — | May 10 | Jul 9 | Aug 23 |
| Zone 5 | — | — | Apr 30 | Jun 29 | Aug 13 |
| Zone 6 | — | — | Apr 15 | Jun 14 | Jul 29 |
| Zone 7 | — | — | Apr 5 | Jun 4 | Jul 19 |
| Zone 8 | — | — | Mar 20 | May 19 | Jul 3 |
| Zone 9 | — | — | Feb 28 | Apr 29 | Jun 13 |
| Zone 10 | — | — | Feb 10 | Apr 11 | May 26 |
| Zone 11 | — | — | Jan 15 | Mar 16 | Apr 30 |
Other Zones for Green Onion (Scallion)
Zone 3 · Zone 4 · Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8 · Zone 10 · Zone 11
📚 Data Sources
Frost dates: NOAA Climate Normals 1991–2020, National Centers for Environmental Information.Hardiness zones: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Agricultural Research Service.
Growing requirements: Cooperative Extension Services — NC State, Penn State, University of Florida IFAS.
Companion planting: Cornell University Cooperative Extension.
Data compiled from public agricultural sources. Always verify with your local extension office for micro-climate adjustments.