Scallions are the quickest allium in the Zone 9 garden: sown in autumn, they are ready in weeks, and succession sowing through the cool season keeps a bunch on hand all winter.
Zone 9 at a glance
USDA Zone 9 covers the warmest parts of the southern United States, including much of Florida, southern Texas, southern Louisiana, southern Arizona and coastal California. Winters are mild, with average winter lows of 20 to 30°F, and the growing season runs nearly all year.
The average last spring frost in Zone 9 is Jan 30–Feb 15, and the average first autumn frost is Dec 1–15. These are zone averages drawn from NOAA frost records, not exact dates for any one garden — always check your local extension service and the forecast before planting tender crops outside. The average last spring frost in Zone 9 is Jan 30–Feb 15, and the average first autumn frost is Dec 1–15. These are USDA zone averages drawn from NOAA frost records, not exact dates for any one garden. Always check your local extension service and the forecast before planting tender crops outside. Use our frost date calculator for your zone's averages.
When to plant scallions in Zone 9
Direct-sow in autumn (September to November) and through winter into early spring (January to March); sow small batches every two to three weeks. The average last spring frost in Zone 9 is Jan 30–Feb 15, and the average first autumn frost is Dec 1–15. Because Zone 9 has a long, nearly year-round growing season, the question is rarely whether scallions will grow, but whether you plant it in the right season for the crop — heat lovers go in after the last frost, cool-season crops go in for autumn and winter.
Scallions planting at a glance
| Detail | Zone 9 guidance |
|---|---|
| Best planting window | Direct-sow in autumn (September to November) and through winter into early spring (January to March); sow small batches every two to three weeks. |
| Start indoors | Not needed — direct sow |
| Direct sow / transplant | Direct-sow outdoors September–March in succession batches |
| Days to germination | 7–14 |
| Days to maturity | 60–70 |
| Spacing | 2–3 in |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Sun | full sun |
| Water needs | moderate |
| Cold tolerance | hardy |
All figures are broad published ranges from standard horticultural references, and they vary by variety, soil and weather. Check your local extension service for advice on your own garden.
Starting scallions
Scallion seed germinates in 7–14 days, and it is always direct-sown. Sow seed thinly about half an inch deep in prepared beds, keep the row moist until germination, and thin seedlings to the final spacing once they have a few true leaves — crowded scallions stay thin. In Zone 9, sow small batches every two to three weeks through the cool season for a continuous supply. Scallions are simply onions grown for their green tops and harvested young, so any onion variety works, though bunching types that never bulb are the easiest.
Soil, spacing and sun
Scallions need full sun and fertile, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Work compost into the bed before sowing. Space plants 2–3 inches apart in rows — closer than bulb onions, because scallions are harvested young and thin. Keep the bed weed-free, because scallions compete poorly with weeds. They grow well in containers and window boxes, where they can be snipped as needed, and they suit the edges of beds where space is tight.
Watering and feeding
Scallions have moderate water needs and want steady moisture for tender, mild growth — drought makes them tough and strong-flavoured. Water little and often to keep the soil evenly moist, especially while seedlings are establishing. Mulch lightly to hold moisture. In Zone 9's dry spells, check the bed every couple of days. Scallions are shallow-rooted, so they dry out fast; a light mulch and regular watering are the whole secret.
Companion planting
Good companions for scallions are marigolds, basil, onions and lettuce. Scallions are useful companions themselves: their smell is said to deter carrot fly and other pests, so they are often interplanted with carrots and lettuce. They grow well between slower crops, using space that would otherwise be wasted. Avoid planting scallions near peas and beans, which grow poorly alongside alliums.
Pests and problems
The pests to watch for are aphids, slugs and cutworms. Aphids cluster on young leaves — wash them off with water. Slugs can damage young seedlings in wet winter weather; check after rain. Cutworms may sever seedlings at soil level. Scallions are otherwise a trouble-free crop, and their strong smell deters many pests on its own. The main risk in Zone 9 is bolting in warm weather, so sow only in the cool months and harvest young.
Harvesting and storing scallions
Harvest scallions 60–70 days from sowing, when stems are pencil-thick and the tops are green and fresh — pull the whole plant, roots and all. Pick little and often: regular picking keeps the supply coming, and scallions left too long form bulbs and turn tough. Scallions are best eaten fresh within a day or two, though they keep about a week in the fridge. In Zone 9, succession sowing every two to three weeks through the cool season gives scallions from autumn to spring.
Frequently asked questions
When should I plant scallions in Zone 9?
Direct-sow in autumn through early spring, September to March, in small batches every two to three weeks. Scallions are a cool-season crop — check your local extension service for the best dates in your area.
What is the difference between scallions and green onions?
Very little — the names are used almost interchangeably. Both are young onions harvested for their green tops before they bulb up. Bunching onion varieties never form bulbs, which makes them the easiest scallions to grow.
Why are my scallions forming bulbs?
They were left too long or the weather warmed up. Scallions should be pulled young, at pencil thickness. Once days lengthen and warm, they start to bulb — harvest promptly.
How long do scallions take to grow in Zone 9?
Seed germinates in 7–14 days and scallions are ready in 60–70 days, so autumn-sown scallions are typically ready in late autumn and winter.
For the full year, browse the planting calendar hub. Nearby: november in Zone 9, Scallions in Zone 7 and Shallots in Zone 9. Use the seed spacing calculator and the harvest date calculator to plan your own dates.