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When to Plant Shallot in Leslie County, KY

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.

Leslie County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 2,667 feet, Leslie County receives approximately 45 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season.

Leslie County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Leslie 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 (45 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 21

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 Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Shallot needs ~1,759 GDD — county provides 3,031 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Leslie County, KY

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 โ€“ Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 6
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Fall Sowing August 11 Aug 11 โ€“ Aug 25
Harvest July 22 Jul 22 โ€“ Sep 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

181 days

Growing Tips for Leslie 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shallot in Leslie County, KY?

Leslie County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Leslie County, KY?

Leslie County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 20.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Leslie 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 Leslie County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.