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When to Plant Shallot in Searcy County, AR

Shallots are a gourmet allium prized for their complex, sweet, and mild flavor. Each bulb multiplies into a cluster, making them easy and rewarding to grow.

Searcy County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 1,245 feet, Searcy County receives approximately 48.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season.

Searcy County, AR (Zone 6b) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Searcy County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 8

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 8 gal / 100 sq ft
Shallot needs ~1,444 GDD — county provides 2,818 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Searcy County, AR

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 12
Fall Sowing August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Sep 1
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Aug 23

Plant 1" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors Direct Sow
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Fall Sowing Harvest
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

205 days

Growing Tips for Searcy County

Plant sets in fall for spring harvest or early spring for summer harvest. Mulch heavily if overwintering. Harvest when tops brown and dry, then cure for storage.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Peas
  • Green Beans

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shallot in Searcy County, AR?

Searcy County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Searcy County, AR?

Searcy County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Searcy County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Searcy County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.