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Scallion Growing Guide🌿: Fast Tips for Planting, Watering, and Harvesting

Scallion Growing Guide🌿: Fast Tips for Planting, Watering, and Harvesting

Introduction

Scallions — also known as green onions — are fast-growing, versatile, and a perfect fit for small spaces and SIP systems. Whether you’re planting them in a LifeSpace Garden or using GardenWells inserts, bottom-up watering ensures tender greens, vibrant color, and repeat harvests all season long.

When to Plant Scallions

  • Spring: Direct seed outdoors in March through May as soon as soil is workable. Check the March Gardening Guide for early planting strategies.

  • Summer Successions: Sow new rows every 3–4 weeks through July for a steady supply of scallions. Visit the June Gardening Guide for mid-season care tips.

  • Fall Planting: Plant in August or September for a late-season harvest; see the September Gardening Guide for fall successions.

Square Foot Gardening Spacing

  • Spacing: 16–20 plants per square foot (~2–3” apart)

  • Depth: Sow seeds ¼–½” deep

  • Companions: Pair beautifully with carrots, beets, and lettuce.

How to Plant Scallions

Direct Seeding (Preferred)

  • Sow 4–6 seeds per hole and thin to 1–2 seedlings after germination.

  • Keep the soil surface evenly moist until sprouts appear (~7–10 days).

  • Stagger sowing dates for a rolling harvest.

Transplanting (Optional)

  • Scallions transplant easily if started indoors in late February or March.

  • Space transplants 2–3” apart in SIP beds or planters.

Watering Your Scallions

Scallions prefer consistent, shallow hydration:

  • Use your WaterStem: when the Hummingbird rises, the reservoir’s full; when it drops, refill it.

  • Before establishment: Top-water lightly every day until seedlings develop roots.

  • After establishment: Refill reservoirs about every 1–2 weeks, adjusting for heat and density.

  • Mulch lightly to conserve moisture and reduce weeds.

  • For seasonal watering schedules, visit the March Gardening Guide.

Harvesting Scallions

  • Timing: Ready to harvest 55–65 days from sowing.

  • Method: Harvest outer stalks individually (“cut-and-come-again”) or pull entire plants when mature.

  • Succession Cropping: Sow new rows every 3–4 weeks for continuous supply through summer.

Common Issues & Fixes

Issue Likely Cause Solution
Yellow Tips Overwatering or poor drainage Check SIP levels; add compost for soil balance
Thin Growth Overcrowding Thin seedlings to 2–3” apart
Thrips / Pests High humidity Interplant basil or carrots as natural deterrents

Companion Plants for Scallions

Best companions (with cross-links):

  • Carrots → Pair perfectly with scallions; helps deter carrot flies.

  • Beets → Compatible root depths make them a great neighbor.

  • Lettuce → Shares shallow roots, making full use of SIP moisture.

  • Spinach → Perfect for layering crops in spring SIP beds.

  • Tomatoes → Scallions act as natural pest deterrents under tomato canopies.

Avoid planting with:

  • Beans → Allium roots can stunt bean growth if planted too closely.

  • Large brassicas like broccoli or cabbage — better spaced separately in SIP systems.

Layout Tip:

  • Plant 16–20 scallions per sq ft for efficient yields.

  • Use the edges of SIP beds or CondoFarms planters for easy interplanting.

  • Layer scallions alongside carrots, lettuce, or spinach for maximum production in minimal space.

Product Tips

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