Scallions — green onions, spring onions — are the quickest allium you can grow, ready in about two months and happy in a pot, a bed edge, or between slower crops. This guide answers "when to plant scallions zone 11" directly: when to sow, how to start it, what soil and spacing it needs, how to water and feed it, which neighbours help, which pests to watch, and when to harvest. Zone 11 is frost-free, with average winter lows of 40 to 50°F, so there is no last or first frost date to plan around — here you plant by heat and by the wet and dry seasons, not by frost. See the full planting calendar for the whole year, and check your local extension service for advice specific to your area.
Scallions at a glance in Zone 11
All figures below are broad published ranges from standard horticultural references, not exact figures for any variety or garden — they vary by variety, climate and soil. Use them to compare crops and to plan, not as promises.
| Detail | Scallions |
|---|---|
| Days to germinate | 7–14 |
| Days to maturity | 60–70 |
| Spacing (inches) | 2–3 |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Sun | full sun |
| Sowing method | direct sow |
| Cold tolerance | hardy |
| Water needs | moderate |
When to plant scallions in Zone 11
Sow scallions through the cool season, roughly late autumn through winter, when they grow fast and stay mild. In Zone 11, scallions are one of the easiest cool-season crops: with a published maturity range of 60–70 days, they can be sown in succession all through the cool months. Once heat arrives, they run to seed quickly and the stems turn tough, so keep sowings to the cool window. Because the zone is frost-free, with winter lows of 40 to 50°F, there is no frost date to plan around — sow by temperature instead, and check your local extension service for the best window in your area. A short row every two weeks gives a continuous supply. Our December in Zone 11 guide shows what else to sow and harvest that month in Zone 11.
Starting scallions
Sow scallion seed directly where it is to grow; scallions dislike transplanting, and the published germination range is 7–14 days. Sow thinly in shallow rows, about a quarter inch deep, and keep the bed moist until seedlings appear. Thin seedlings to the spacing in the table below, or leave them a little closer if you like thin, young scallions — they are forgiving of crowding. For the fastest crop, sow in a pot of fresh mix on a sunny patio. Use the seed spacing calculator to work out how many rows fit between your other cool-season crops.
Soil, spacing and sun
Scallions want light, fertile, well-drained soil with a soil pH of 6.0–7.0. Fork in compost before sowing; sandy tropical soils suit scallions well, since they drain freely, but they need compost to hold moisture. Avoid fresh manure, which can burn young roots. A light mulch after seedlings are up keeps the soil cool and damp. Scallions grow well in containers — a pot 6 inches deep is enough — which makes them ideal for a small Zone 11 garden or a sunny windowsill. Keep the bed weed-free, since scallions compete poorly with weeds.
Watering and feeding
Scallions need moderate, steady water — dry soil makes them tough and slow, while waterlogging rots them. Water at the base in the morning, keeping the soil evenly moist, and mulch to even out moisture between waterings. In the dry season that may mean watering every day or two, especially in pots. Scallions need very little feeding in compost-rich soil; a light liquid feed halfway through growth is plenty, and too much nitrogen makes soft, floppy stems. In the wet season, make sure beds and pots drain freely.
Companion planting
Good companions for scallions are marigolds, basil, onions and lettuce. Scallions are useful companions themselves: planted between rows of carrots or lettuce, their smell helps deter pests. Lettuce grows well alongside them in the same cool-season bed, marigolds at the edge discourage soil pests, and basil attracts beneficial insects. Avoid planting scallions next to beans or peas, which grow poorly beside alliums, and rotate alliums to a fresh bed each year so soil pests do not build up. For a cooler-climate comparison, see how the same crop is timed in Zone 9.
Pests and problems
Watch for aphids, slugs and cutworms. Aphids can cluster on young leaves; wash them off with water. Slugs chew seedlings at night in humid weather — check at dusk and keep the bed tidy. Cutworms can fell young plants at soil level; cardboard collars help in the first weeks. Onion fly can trouble scallions in some areas; fine insect mesh over the bed from sowing keeps it off. Because scallions grow fast and are harvested young, serious pest damage is uncommon — the main risk is slugs in the wet season.
Harvest and storage
Pull scallions when the stems are pencil-thick, usually within the published maturity range of 60–70 days from sowing. You can pull them younger for thin, mild scallions or leave them longer for thicker stems — but do not leave them until they form a bulb or run to seed, or they turn tough. Loosen the soil with a fork and pull gently, then trim the roots and wash well. Scallions are best used fresh the same day, though they keep for a week in the fridge wrapped in a damp cloth. Use both the white base and the green tops, chopped into salads, stir-fries and soups. If you are planning the rest of the bed, our guide to Shallots in Zone 11 covers another crop from the same Zone 11 season.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant scallions in Zone 11?
Through the cool season, roughly late autumn through winter. Sow a short row every two weeks for a continuous supply; heat makes them bolt and turn tough.
Can I grow scallions in a pot?
Yes — they are ideal for pots. A container 6 inches deep with fresh mix, watered regularly, gives a fast crop on a patio or balcony.
Why are my scallions so thin?
Usually drought, hunger, or sowing too thickly. Water steadily, feed lightly, thin to the proper spacing, and give them the full 60–70 days.
Do scallions need frost in Zone 11?
No. Zone 11 is frost-free, with winter lows of 40 to 50°F. Scallions do not need frost — they need cool, moist weather, which the cool months provide. Check your local extension service for local sowing dates.