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When to Plant Shallot in Marshall 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.

Marshall County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 212 days.

At an elevation of 1,550 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 42.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season.

Marshall County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
212 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
212 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (76 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 5

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 349 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 3,551 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Marshall County, KY

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Direct Sow March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 10
Fall Sowing August 23 Aug 23 โ€“ Sep 6
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Aug 21

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
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

212 days

Growing Tips for Marshall 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 Marshall County, KY?

Marshall County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Marshall County, KY?

Marshall County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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