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When to Plant Shallot in Pulaski 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.

Pulaski County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 3,004 feet, Pulaski County receives approximately 54.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Shallot root diseases.

Pulaski County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Pulaski County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 11 – Aug 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 14 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (42 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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Shallot needs ~1,680 GDD — county provides 2,992 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Pulaski County, KY

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 14 Mar 14 โ€“ Mar 28
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Fall Sowing August 13 Aug 13 โ€“ Aug 27
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Sep 5

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April 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

187 days

Growing Tips for Pulaski 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 Pulaski County, KY?

Pulaski County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pulaski County, KY?

Pulaski County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 22.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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