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When to Plant Shallot in Latimer County, OK

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.

Latimer County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 773 feet, Latimer County receives approximately 33.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Shallot during the growing season.

Latimer County, OK (Zone 7a) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
209 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Latimer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 12
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (73 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 9

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.

Soil Compatibility in Latimer County

How your county's soil matches Shallot's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.2) overlaps with Shallot's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Latimer County is excellent for Shallot โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Shallot.

How to Plant Shallot

1"
Planting Depth
6"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 10 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 725 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Shallot

Shallot needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Shallot Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 0.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 5.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3" 1.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.2" 2.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov โ€” 1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 0.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Latimer County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Shallot Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Shallot needs ~1,759 GDD — county provides 3,500 GDD Excellent fit

Shallot Planting Timeline โ€” Latimer County, OK

Shallot Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 1 Mar 1 โ€“ Mar 15
Transplant Outdoors April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 19
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 12
Harvest July 5 Jul 5 โ€“ Aug 23
Fall Sowing August 22 Aug 22 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 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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

90โ€“120 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

209 days in Latimer County

Growing Tips for Shallot in Latimer County

Direct sow Shallot outdoors after April 05 in Latimer County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Shallot in this region include onion maggots and thrips. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Shallot in Latimer County, OK?

Latimer County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Shallot planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Latimer County, OK?

Latimer County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Latimer County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Latimer County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.