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When to Plant Shallot in Pawnee County, NE

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.

Pawnee County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.

At an elevation of 936 feet, Pawnee County receives approximately 32.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season.

Pawnee County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
166 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
166 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Pawnee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 20 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Sep 28

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 829 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Shallot needs ~1,444 GDD — county provides 2,282 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Pawnee County, NE

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 20 Mar 20 โ€“ Apr 3
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ May 1
Fall Sowing July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Aug 12
Harvest July 24 Jul 24 โ€“ Sep 11

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 Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing 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 5b

Growing Season

166 days

Growing Tips for Pawnee 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 Pawnee County, NE?

Pawnee County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pawnee County, NE?

Pawnee County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 7.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Pawnee County gardeners in Zone 5b 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 Pawnee County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.