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When to Plant Shallot in Sherman 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.

Sherman County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 149 days.

At an elevation of 807 feet, Sherman County receives approximately 33.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Shallot to ensure they mature before fall.

Sherman County, NE (Zone 4b) Short season
149 days
Last Spring Frost May 9
149 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Sherman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (13 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Sep 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 28 Transplant: May 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Sep 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Start indoors: Apr 5 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Oct 4

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 84 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Shallot needs ~1,050 GDD — county provides 1,490 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Sherman County, NE

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 28 Mar 28 โ€“ Apr 11
Transplant Outdoors May 9 May 9 โ€“ May 23
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Fall Sowing July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Jul 27
Harvest August 8 Aug 8 โ€“ Sep 26

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
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Fall Sowing
August 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 4b

Growing Season

149 days

Growing Tips for Sherman 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 Sherman County, NE?

Sherman County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 9. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sherman County, NE?

Sherman County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 9 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sherman County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Sherman County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.